The role and value of relationships in Design & Social Innovation Practices (Advert Ref: RDF18/DES/YEE)

This project seeks to extend the growing body of research on Design and Social Innovation practices in Asia-Pacific. While interest in Design and Social Innovation (D&SI) practice has increased over the last decade, D&SI studies are still dominated by academic literature and case studies focussed on Europe and the US. Focus of Asia-Pacific is needed due to it being an emerging and growing area for D&SI, with many examples of diverse and vibrant initiatives aimed at tackling complex issues. Some of the emergent questions revolve around new models of design; the identification of relevant social problems; the role of the designer in this space; and mainstreaming the social. This project builds upon an established and active network – The Design for Social Innovation in Asia Pacific (DESIAP.org) initiative that was set up in 2015 as a platform, network and community of practice for various practitioners, communities and professionals working in the Social Innovation space in this region. DESIAP is a collaboration between Northumbria University and RMIT, Australia. DESIAP received AHRC funding to bring together UK and Asia-Pacific researchers in 2016, leading to outcomes published in a forthcoming special issue in the Design & Culture journal, and a session track in the next 2018 Design Research Society conference. In the last 3 years we have generated a large number of new activities, outcomes and collaborations – see this map to view a timeline of activities and the range of organisations we have engaged with.

Research from the DESIAP network has revealed a number of interesting dimensions relating to D&SI practices and we identify the significance of interpersonal relationships between stakeholders and participants as key to their success. Discourses in social innovation have highlighted the significance of interpersonal relationships and that the resources and exchanges that come from these relationships can create value. The proposition that relationships are the prerequisite and outcome of social innovations makes their interaction reciprocal and inseparable. Despite their importance, relationships and their outcomes (e.g. care, engagement, and reciprocity) in social innovation have not been emphasised in design research as greatly as tools and techniques. Several possible reasons for this are speculated: they are highly contingent and dynamic, and it is therefore complex to understand how they form, develop and degenerate; they cannot be controlled nor manufactured, and are thus excluded from the scope of design; and their contribution to social innovation is difficult to measure. There is a lack of theoretical and methodological knowledge that addresses the challenges of understanding their complex forms and nature – including methodologies to influence them through design interventions, and evaluating them in line with the goal of social innovations. This studentship would investigate how we can analyse and construct frameworks to understand relationships in D&SI contexts and also facilitate the forming of relationships desirable to social innovation.

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see:
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018

Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers