RSD15: Call for Contributions

Shades of Systemic Design

Designing within a plural world

Event information

The RSD15 call for contributions is hosted by the Politecnico di Torino Sys_Lab group. Email questions to rsd15@polito.it.

Please note the following dates:

• April 24 intent to submit (no abstract is needed at this stage)
• May 8 workshop and exhibition/map briefs due
• May 22 full papers (long and short) and PhD Colloquium papers due
• October 8&9, online paper talks
• October 13–16 RSD15-Turin symposium

Systemic design integrates systems thinking with design practice to address complex societal and ecological challenges. It draws from a wide range of methodological traditions, each rooted in distinct epistemologies, values, and contexts. As the field matures and expands globally, designers and researchers increasingly work with overlapping aims but different vocabularies, frameworks, and ways of knowing, raising vital questions about coherence, legitimacy, and inclusivity. This diversity is a source of richness, but also practical and methodological tension. The absence of consensus can create uncertainty about what constitutes rigorous or legitimate practice, particularly in high-stakes contexts like sustainability transitions, where approaches must be both inclusive and actionable.

Systemic Design Pluralism is emerging as a central concern for the field.

Pluralism invites us to embrace methodological diversity not as fragmentation but as a condition for collective learning and creative adaptation. It foregrounds questions of epistemic justice, intercultural dialogue, and the ethics of collaboration across disciplinary, institutional, and geographical boundaries. This theme originates from reflections developed collaboratively among researchers from several European design schools, who have been exploring the plural and evolving nature of systemic design practices.

Building on these conversations, RSD15 brings together systemic designers to expand the dialogue globally, engaging diverse voices and perspectives to deepen the understanding of pluralism in systemic design.

We invite academic papers that explore how systemic design is practised, named, and made meaningful across different regions, cultures, and disciplines, and how pluralistic perspectives can strengthen its theoretical foundations and practical relevance. Systemic Design Pluralism will be the central theme of the upcoming RSD15 conference in Torino, where we aim to advance this collective inquiry through shared reflection, critical debate, and experimental practice.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

The purpose of RSD15 is to create a space for dialogue and reflection on:

Geographies and ecologies: Explores how places and ecosystems intertwine, and how systemic design can foster resilient relations among human and non-human contexts.

Pedagogies and methods: Investigates approaches to learning and practice, highlighting methods that enable systemic thinking and collective transformation.

Visions and ontologies: Engages with worldviews and systems of meaning, exploring how diverse ontologies and imaginaries can shape systemic design and open pathways toward alternative futures.

Practices and tools: Explores concrete applications and tools that translate systemic design principles into practice, enabling collaboration and innovation across contexts.

Conference Chair (Politecnico di Torino)

Silvia Barbero
Amina Pereno
Asja Aulisio

Scientific Committee

Alexis Jacoby, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Sine Celik, TU Delft, Netherlands
Hannah Goss, TU Delft, Netherlands
Jotte de Koning, TU Delft, Netherlands
Wen Lu, Tongji University, China
Praveen Nahar, NID, India
Jonathan Romm, AHO, Norway
Mari Suoheimo, AHO, Norway
Francesca Valsecchi, Tongji University, China
Rosana Aparecida Vasques, ESPM, Brazil

General guidelines for documents

Authors should follow the minimum requirements carefully. The academic/programme committee checks submissions to ensure they meet the minimum submission requirements before distributing them for review. Be sure your document meets the following guidelines, as there may not be time to turn around incomplete submissions or documents that do not meet the standard format.

Document structure

1. An abstract of at least 300 words

2. The submission must include:

a) A full paper is a manuscript of approximately 5,500 words that follows an academic paper structure
OR
b) Presentations and reports also require papers but can be more descriptive and are approximately 2,500 words
OR
c) Workshops, interactives, and other activities include a written brief of approximately 1,500 words
OR
d) Maps and exhibits require a description of approximately 1000 words and an image
NOTE
e) Panel proposals and speakers require only an abstract, which must be at least 300 words and can be longer. Essays and reflective pieces are encouraged before or after the presentation.

3. References following APA (7th edition) conventions

4. Author(s) profile(s) and contact information (optional)

Abstract: The abstract on the EasyChair submission form must be the same as the abstract in the paper or proposal (cut and paste from the final version).

Template: You must submit work in the RSD15 template to be reviewed.

References: All cited content must be correctly referenced (the references are not included in the word count). References help the reviewers judge the context and trustworthiness of the work.

SEO and indexing: An abstract of at least 200 words is required to improve search results across the website and by search engines. We also embed the submitted PDF on the same page (search engines index PDFs). Note that a correctly formatted PDF increases the likelihood of your work being indexed on Google Scholar. (Reference: Google Inclusion Guidelines for Webmasters)

Additional sections: Your reflexivity statement, land acknowledgement, or other information that will contextualise your work are welcome additions.

Note: References, authors, appendices, and acknowledgements, statements, author profiles, and resources are not included in the word count.

RSD15 paper and presentation sessions will take place online and in person. You will be asked to indicate your preference when you make your submission.

Document structure for papers and presentations*

• Abstract (suggested 200-400 words; 600 maximum)—no title, indent as per instructions on the RSD15 template
• Introduction (h2 section title)—if you want to add a descriptive statement, use a colon and follow with sentence case (no period) OR
• Presentation description (h2 section title)—this could also be Presentation overview or Presentation “other” as relevant to your presentation
• Content and headings, as appropriate to your content
• References (h2 section title)—use APA 7; include only cited references
• Format references with “normal” style, numbered
• Authors (h2 section title as appropriate)—as per instructions on the template (optional)

*Additional sections may be added at your discretion. References, authors, appendices, and special statements or resources are not included in the word count.

Accepted papers will be presented online and made publicly available as open-revision manuscripts. Papers may also be presented at RSD15-Turin.

RSD workshops and interactives open up systemic design practice. Sessions connected to other RSD contributions, such as a paper or exhibition, are also encouraged.

When submitting a workshop or interactive activity, please set up a document using the RSD template (above). Accepted workshops and activities will be included in the RSD15 proceedings. Complete the RSD15 workshop template with an abstract (suggested 200-400 words; 600 maximum) and an expanded description (~1500 words) of the session.

Be sure to include the following in the description:

• In what ways does the proposed contribution relate to the RSD themes and focus areas?
• What will those participating in the workshop/activity be doing?
• How will this be structured? Please include an agenda in your document.
• Is the workshop/activity intended online or in-person, or could it be either?

Workshop document structure*

• Abstract (suggested 200-400 words; 600 maximum)—no title, indent as per instructions on the template
• Description of ~1500 words
• Workshop description (h2 section title)—including how it relates to the RSD sub-theme(s) and focus area(s)
• Agenda (h2 section title)—how will it be structured?
• References (h2 section title)—use APA 7; include only cited references
• Format references with “normal” style, numbered; include only cited references
• Authors/Facilitators (h2 section title as appropriate)—as per instructions on the template

*Additional sections may be added at your discretion. References, authors, appendices, and special statements or resources are not included in the word count.

Remember that your workshop document will be a permanent part of the proceedings and should be written in the simple present tense.

In-person sessions

In-person workshops take advantage of physical space and materials—the workshop should be designed for an on-site experience.

Online sessions

Online workshops may be presented as part of the overall online programme. Online workshops must include activities that facilitate introductions and discussion. This programme segment is unconfirmed.

Length

The standard length is 60–90 minutes; however, other timeframes are possible.

RSD invites proposals for exhibition items of various kinds that can prompt conversation and question the edges of systemic design.

Work that doesn’t fit within the range of standard RSD formats, such as multimedia and digital work, performance, and environmental and experiential forms, is encouraged. Examples are Ben Spong’s Mirror in the Bathroom and Karianne Rygh’s tangible tools for co-design.

Remember that your artefact’s image(s) will be included in the proceedings. Please provide images that are, at a minimum, suitable for website viewing. You can also link to high-quality images or additional web references from your descriptive paper.

Set up your descriptive paper on the RSD15 template.

Document structure for maps and exhibits*

• Abstract (suggested 200-400 words; 600 maximum)—no title, indent as per instructions on the template
• Description of up to ~1500 words
• Exhibit description (h2 section title)—including how it relates to the RSD sub-theme(s) and focus area(s)
• Process (h2 section title)—how was the map or exhibit conceived? Were there specific processes or materials involved in creating it?
• References (h2 section title)—use APA 7; include only cited references
• Format references with “normal” style, numbered; include only cited references
• Artist(s)/Developer(s)/Creator(s)/other (h2 section title as appropriate)—as per instructions on the template

*Additional sections may be added at your discretion. The word count does not include references, authors, appendices, special statements, or resources.

The capacity for an on-site exhibition has not yet been determined. While we cannot guarantee that your exhibit will be presented on-site, the graphics, photos, and other assets you provide will be included in the proceedings and searchable in the RSD repository.

You are also encouraged to make a video explainer with your map or exhibit. This will be embedded with your article.