Abstract
Research through Design (RtD) is a maturing research methodology in Design and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), in which design actions are used as a means to conduct research. This way of doing research holds promise for creating transdisciplinary results but it comes with challenges. Research and design are similar in that both aim to create something new. However, depending on a project’s context, there may be different expectations about what that something new is, spanning from generalized knowledge to localized solutions. In this paper we discuss two PhD projects in the healthcare sector and reflect on three challenges encountered by the PhD researchers: (1) navigating the dual aim of designing interventions and generating academic knowledge, (2) balancing the creation of prototypes as products for use and objects of inquiry, and (3) effectively collaborating with stakeholders in complex and sensitive settings.
Keywords
research through design; multi-stakeholder collaboration; complex sensitive settings
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.401
Citation
C. Rozendaal, M., D'Olivo, P., Giaccardi, E., and Jan Stappers, P. (2024) Three Challenges in Practising Research Through Design in the Context of PhD Design Research, in Gray, C., Ciliotta Chehade, E., Hekkert, P., Forlano, L., Ciuccarelli, P., Lloyd, P. (eds.), DRS2024: Boston, 23–28 June, Boston, USA. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2024.401
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Conference Track
Research Paper
Included in
Three Challenges in Practising Research Through Design in the Context of PhD Design Research
Research through Design (RtD) is a maturing research methodology in Design and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), in which design actions are used as a means to conduct research. This way of doing research holds promise for creating transdisciplinary results but it comes with challenges. Research and design are similar in that both aim to create something new. However, depending on a project’s context, there may be different expectations about what that something new is, spanning from generalized knowledge to localized solutions. In this paper we discuss two PhD projects in the healthcare sector and reflect on three challenges encountered by the PhD researchers: (1) navigating the dual aim of designing interventions and generating academic knowledge, (2) balancing the creation of prototypes as products for use and objects of inquiry, and (3) effectively collaborating with stakeholders in complex and sensitive settings.