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Co-production has recently become a familiar term in relation to bringing together users and professionals in re-designing public services. Co-production redefines service users and customers as a valuable source of insight and knowledge in creating products and services with greater value. However, co-production has been put forward as much more than a means of developing more effective and efficient products and services. According to Cahn (n.d) co-production is the answer to decaying neighbourhoods, crime, fragmented community and depleted social capital. Boyle & Harris (2009) argue that co-production can provide a new way of thinking about public services and provide the means to reinvigorate the ‘core economy’.
At the same time as the rise of co-production the role of design in re-thinking organisations and services and re-defining and re-engaging citizens, consumers and service users has become more prominent. One needs only to note the prominence given to design by NESTA in the field of commercial innovation, the RSA in connecting design to social change and the Design Council in linking design to areas such as the improvement of public health to realise that design has re-emerged as a force that can be applied to areas others than product design. Co-production and co-creation have become entwined with design as a vehicle or template for process and even as an embryonic form of political action[1].
Rather than competing perspectives and approaches co-production and design are at the very least complimentary and at most integral. This research aims to explore to what extent co-production driven by design processes and practice can bring about institutional change and development, where the first set of research questions relate to the practice of co-production and a second set address the evolving nature of co-design.
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to Prof. Robert Young, 0191 227 4124, robert.young@northumbria.ac.uk
Applicants should hold a first or upper second class honours degree (in a relevant subject) from a British higher education institution, or equivalent. Students who are not UK/EU residents are eligible to apply, provided they hold the relevant academic qualifications, together with an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
You should apply using the University’s Research Application Form, available via the link on this page. Applications should be submitted to Mark Grant, School of Design Research Administrator, via email to m.grant@northumbria.ac.uk
Funding Notes:
The studentship includes a full stipend, paid for three years at RCUK rates (figure for 2012/13 is 13,590 pa) and home fees.
References:
Young R., Hilton K. 2003, The Review of a Design Practice Learning Project to Pilot Heightened Social Responsibility and Engagement. In European Academy of Design, Barcelona, 2003
Young R. 2008, A taxonomy of the changing world of design practice: A vision of the changing role of design in society supported by a taxonomy matrix tool. In: Changing the Change, Turin, Italy.
Young R. 2008, An integrated model of designing to aid understanding of the complexity paradigm in design practice. In: Futures Journal, Elsevier.
Young R. 2008, A perspective on design theory and service design practice, Chapter in Designing for Services – Multidisciplinary Perspectives: Proceedings from the Exploratory Project on Designing for Services in Science and Technology-based Enterprises., Kimbell L. & Seidel P. eds. University of Oxford, ISBN: 978-0-953251-2-1.
Young R. 2009, Developments in service design thinking and practice, Chapter in Embracing Complexity in Design. Johnson J. & Alexiou K. eds. Routledge.
Vyas P., Young R. 2011, Redefining socially responsible designing to assist collaborative approaches to community engagement. In; Understanding Complex Service Systems Through Different Lenses, Cambridge University.
Karen G., Petia S., Young R., Mansi S., Ellman J. 2012, Community Participation Wellbeing. In: 12th European Conference on eGovernment (ECEG 2012).
Young R. 2012, Refocusing the practice of service design to align actions with intentions in socially responsible contexts. Chapter in Miettinen, S.ed. (forthcoming). Service Design with theory. Lapland University Press.