Stine Moons
Research in the field of systemic and transition design blurs the boundaries between the researcher, the researched and the research context. In studying sociotechnical systems in transition, the researcher is both part of and deeply connected to their research subject. Additionally, a diversity of knowledge systems is necessary to transition to a fair and just world, and transition design researchers need to navigate through this diversity with care and humility. At the same time, the multiperspective character of complex systems in transition makes the researcher a powerful actor in framing the researched topic and translating it towards the academic community in scientific texts and other research products. In this context, positionality becomes an essential method to understand the impact of the identities and lived experiences of the design researcher on their research and vice versa. During this workshop, the participants will map out their positionality as design researchers and the impact it has on their own knowledge creation and vice versa, exploring the power dynamics that are connected to the entanglement of different knowledge systems. They will discuss the paradoxes that are a part of this complexity and messiness, and in doing so, build a reflexive research practice throughout the workshop.
KEYWORDS: positionality, transition design research, epistemology, situated knowledge
RSD TOPIC(S): Mapping & Modelling, Methods & Methodology, Society & Culture
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The RSD14 workshop folder contains a downloadable brief with each workshop's context and background, agenda, facilitator profiles, and key references.