NADR2023: Network Applied Design Research 2023 DDW Eindhoven, Netherlands, October 26, 2023

Call for participation! 

The Network Applied Design Research (NADR) is looking for contributions to their symposium in October 2023 and the corresponding follow-up publication “Applied Design Research In Experimental Learning and Innovation Environments”. 

Experimental learning and innovation environments, such as living labs, fieldlabs and urban innovation labs, are increasingly used to connect multi-stakeholders in envisioning, creating, experimenting, learning, and trying out novel responses to diverse societal challenges. What are the roles Applied Design Researchers can play and take in such learning environments with multi-stakeholders? What is the unique contribution of ‘design’ and ‘applied design research’ and how can we deliver on that promise? And how is it done? What are the challenges, dilemmas, and best practices of applied design researchers in their contributions to these environments? 

We invite applied design researchers to engage in a constructive dialogue and collaborate toward a joint publication along the following timeline: 

May 9: Expression of interest by submitting an abstract (<300 words) focussed on one of the related themes.

May 17 (afternoon): Joint matchmaking session (live in Utrecht). At this stage, authors can decide whether or not to join forces with other authors.

June 23: Deadline for submission of full papers / chapters based on discussions in Utrecht. 

July 3rd (afternoon): Peer feedback sessions (live in Utrecht) based on elaborated papers/chapters. 

September 14th: Final paper for NADR symposium. Single authors have a limitation of 3000 words, those who formed groups can negotiate a different word limit with the editorial group.  

26 October 2023: NADR symposium during the Dutch Design Week 2023 in Eindhoven. Here authors present their papers and engage in lively discussions on developing their ideas further. See invitation here.

November 14: Final paper deadline for incorporation in book publication, working title: “Applied Design Research In Experimental Learning and Innovation Environments”. 

March 2024: Presentation of the new book. 

All publications need to be in UK English, all authors need to join the intermediate sessions to develop their ideas. 

All contributions should link theoretical insights to practical experience or vice-versa, with an emphasis on the role of applied design research (in all its shapes and forms). The matchmaking session in May may be employed to strengthen these aspects. 

The contributions can pertain to one or more of the following dilemmas: 

1.Open or Closed?  How do we balance the tension between focus, planning, and certainty on the one hand and creating space for flexibility/freedom, partners joining and leaving and learning from the unexpected, dynamic realities on the other? How do we navigate those ends? 

2.Safe-zone or Real-life? Are experimental environments better as temporary, bounded safe zone in which ideas get shaped, or do they need to effectuate real-world change? And how do we make the switch? 

3.Physical or Virtual places? Should experimental environments exist in real life, should they have a physical location, and should they be persistent or can they be virtual or hybrid spaces, mental or digital in which the experiments take place? 

4.Small or Big? Is bigger always better for an experimentation environment or should they be small and cosy? And how do we define the ideal size, duration, group composition? 

5.Transformation or Generically applicable? What can be changed in- and through an experimental environment? Should responses to societal challenges be ‘adopted’ in the form they are created? Can we design for transformational adoption? 

6.Fixed or Fluid roles? How do participants deal with different roles, interests, knowledge and power in experimentation environments? What are dilemma’s between design and research? Responsible roles, individuals and collectives? Who designs? Who researches? Who experiments? Who combines?

7 Discipline or indiscipline? How do designers and other intellectual traditions meet within living labs. Is design in the lead or a catalyst? What other skills are needed. Is a living lab a method, methodology or just a starting point?