The Network Applied Design Research - NADR - is calling for contributions discussing The Societal Impact of Applied Design Research - How can applied design research be deployed to enhance systemic change and contribute to societal transitions towards, for example, the circular economy, smarter healthcare or a sustainable food system? 

The results of this call will be presented at the annual NADR event during the Dutch Design Week in October 2024, and will be included in an Open Access book publication to be released in early 2025. We welcome contributions focusing on the following issues: 

List of Topics

1. Connecting System Levels 

For relatively short-term design research to contribute effectively to long-term changes in society, it is necessary to act at different system levels: materials, products, services, socio-technical ecosystems and society as a whole. At which level can design interventions take place, and what is the interrelationship between interventions at the different system levels? How can seemingly small design-based interventions achieve a profound societal impact? 

2. Theory of Change 

What activities do design researchers carry out within the limits of their own sphere of influence? With what concrete results? How do these results contribute to certain outcomes (e.g. a major behavioural change of citizens, or the introduction of regenerative materials in a certain value chain) that lie outside the design researcher's direct sphere of influence? And what impact does this subsequently have on the social issue as a whole? In other words, what are the underlying Theories of Change and associated Impact Pathways of applied design researchers? 

3. Limited ‘Makeability’ of Society 

Designers focus on changing an existing situation into a new, desired one. However, such a linear and solution-oriented approach may not work when dealing with complex societal transition processes. How do design researchers balance their optimistic desire to bring about positive change, with the limitations of controlling a complex and constantly evolving socio-technical ecosystem? In other words, how do design researchers respond to the limited 'makeability' of society?  

4. Balancing Different Worldviews 

Applied design research requires the involvement of many different actors, each of them operating based on their specific worldviews and interpretive frameworks. But also the design researcher operates from a personal set of values and beliefs, whether consciously or unconsciously. What role do these underlying values and ideologies play when undertaking a design research initiative? How can consensus and collective responsibility be fostered? And what is the role of possible conflicting interests?  

5. Unique Value of Applied Design

Within all these themes, the question remains: what is the unique added value of Applied Design? There is already a multitude of consultants, advisers and other experts focusing on the complex issues that society faces. How can the designer's power of creativity and imagination be used to best effect? How can their unique expertise, aimed at synthesising seemingly contradictory and disconnected parts into a unique new whole, actually have a positive impact on society? 

Organization

NADR  (www.nadr.nl) is the Dutch national platform for Applied Design Researchers. The unifying theme of NADR is the methodological approach of combining design and research, in any possible combination.

Venue

The conference will be held during the Dutch Design Week 2024 in Eindhoven 

Dates

•   Submission of 300 word abstracts: 20 April 2024 (COMPLETED) 

•   Work session with all contributors, Utrecht: 22 April 2024 (COMPLETED) 

•   Deadline for extended abstract (1000-1500 words), 18 June 2024, 12.00h 

•   Allignment and reflection sesion with all contributors: 19 June 2024 (13.00 - 17.00) Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht, ConceptSpace) 

•   Deadline full chapters for NADR symposium: 16 September 2024 

•   Presentation of chapters at NADR symposium - Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven: 21 October 2024 (13.00-17.00) 

At the NADR Symposium 21 October you have the opportunity to present your chapter for an extended audience of people interested in the Societal Impact of Applied Design Research. This session will also have a co-creative character in which we organize a conversation between you as authors and the audience. This will lead to additional feedback that you can incorporate into the final version of your chapter if you are invited to include it in the book. In that case, the final chapter is due December 1st. 

•   Final chapters for NADR Book Publication - 1 December 2024