October 2023
The European Academy of Design was established in 1995, and ‘its core principles are to grow an appreciation of the complexity of design and design research, its human centred nature, rich diversity of subject, form and context’, embracing design’s participation in areas such as health, ecology, science, humanities, and medicine. The theme of this year’s conference centred on doctoral design education, using the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the first PhDs in design, in the UK, to mark a moment of reflection and speculation. The conference title: ‘what got us here won’t get us there’, posed a challenge; asking how doctoral research in design will be conducted in the future, particularly in relation to contemporary challenges of climate crisis, economic stagnation, sustainability, mass migration, and populist politics. In response, GSA’s School of Design proposed a provocative theme for our conference hub: Extreme Making: Expansive Methods and Critical Themes in Doctoral Design Research and Education’. The conference hub was co-chaired by Dr Helen McCormack, Design History & Theory (GSA), and Professor Sarah Kettley, Chair of Material and Design Innovation, (ECA) and also incorporated an exhibition in the Reid Building to complement the conference papers. This was curated by Jenny Brownrigg, GSA’s Director of Exhibitions, and the exhibitions team. Overall, our hub received over 60 submissions (both papers and exhibition proposals). Fourteen papers were accepted, covering topics such as: ‘physicalizing of data in augmented reality, circular design education and open resources, integrated and technologically advanced healthcare systems in Scotland, service design as a catalyst for change, emerging studio ceramics and Islamic culture, bio-based materials, mental health and wellbeing of craft, nuclear ecologies, and workshops on weaving beyond the studio. Speakers came from a wide range of countries and institutions, including Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Ireland, and the UK. Alongside the conference papers and exhibition, the School of Design also showcased work from some of the recently established research clusters, including Visible Words, Drawing Threads, SHOPPING, Modern Design in the Public Realm, and Image, Imaging, interior.
On a very stormy Friday morning (thanks, Storm Babet!), the conference hub was opened with a warm welcome from Professor Stephen Bottomley, Head of the School of Design, followed by an introduction and welcome from Professor Louise Valentine, Heriot Watt University (Dubai campus), and the European Academy of Design President. The morning keynote was delivered remotely by Dr Rathna Ramanathan, Head of Central St Martins, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Climate in the Curriculum), and a Reader in Intercultural Communications at the University of the Arts, London. Rathna’s wonderful paper, entitled: Regenerating design: Exploring pluriversal, intercultural and critical frameworks in practice design research’, reflected on her own experiences of intercultural exchanges in languages and communication, and in collaborative practices. She explained how the work of design research in the twenty first century will be guided by forms of practice that must pay attention to the reversal of the previous dominance of the global north, pivoting around the global south, and its concerns of climate justice, racial equality, economic and social sustainability.
The conference hub and exhibition were attended by many PhD students from a range of Higher Education Institutes in Scotland, England, Ireland, Italy, Brazil, Portugal and Mexico.
Despite the ‘extreme’ weather, Dr Stephen Knott, Director of the Craft Study Centre, University of the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey, braved the elements and managed to make it to Glasgow to deliver the closing keynote, entitled: ‘Out of hand: craft research today’. Stephen’s paper focussed on some of the work contained within the archives of the Craft Study Centre at Farnham, and the ways in which many of these previous crafts practitioners embraced ‘extreme making’ in their approach, particularly through methods of biotechnics, autoethnography, and complexities of layered histories and heritage in craft and design.
Glasgow’s conference hub was also the moment to mark the transfer of the EAD presidency from Professor Valentine to Professor Leon Cruickshank, Director of Research at ‘ImaginationLancaster’, University of Lancaster. The event was rounded off with drinks, sponsored by Panther M*lk, and viewing the exhibition.
The School of Design at The Glasgow School of Art aims to work closely with colleagues from the European Academy of Design in future projects. Hosting the conference hub ‘regenerated’ our focus on design research in doctoral studies as students, supervisors, and researchers, and offered opportunities for us to connect with an international group of researchers in India, Brazil, Spain, and Finland. The ambitions of the leadership and scientific committee of the European Academy of Design to nurture an inclusive research culture that is diverse, sustainable, and committed to social justice, reflects GSA’s own research strategic goals. Therefore, we look forward to the next 25 years and beyond!
Dr Helen McCormack and Professor Stephen Bottomley