Design and Policy Network Roundtable: Untapped potential from design research for public policy

Monday 3rd October 2022, 13:00-15:00

please note re-scheduled date

University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL

Organised by the University of Manchester, policy@manchester and the Social Design Institute at University of the Arts London (UAL).

The Design and Policy Network brings together researchers in design, the humanities, political science with practitioners in government and public policy and design. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the network is based jointly at the University of the Arts London, policy@manchester and the politics department at the University of Manchester and will run for 18 months between May 2022-November 2023.

We invite researchers and PhD students in studies of design, political science, public administration, the humanities and practitioners working in public policy, public services and related organisations such as thinktanks to engage, discuss, explore potential collaborations and develop new understandings of the potential and limitations of design in public policy.

In this, the second of four workshops presented by the Network, we explore opportunities for policy from design approaches. Our focus is on how ideas from design research – such as materiality, agonism and anticipation - could be used in policy development. We aim to map some of the untapped potential for the use of design in relation to public policy processes, grounded in concepts from design research. Each roundtable begins with invited provocations from three guest speakers each from different backgrounds in design research, practice and/or policy, and political science.

This roundtable follows a successful first event in June where we examined some of the tensions and frustrations with existing connections between public policy and design, with three provocations from invited speakers: see details, videos and LinkedIn page for the Network .

The session will be co-chaired by Professor Lucy Kimbell, UAL, and Professor Liz Richardson, University of Manchester, who jointly convene the network.

Agenda

Introductions

Scene setting

Provocations confirmed from: Dr. Carl DiSalvo, Georgia Institute of Technology; Professor Catherine Durose, Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool, Andrew Knight, Head of UK policy design community, UK Civil Service

Q&A

Roundtable discussion

Limited capacity is available for in person participation. Please only book your place if you can attend.

Learn more about the AHRC Design and Policy Network, and join our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12656362/.

Travel

We have a small fund to cover reasonable UK travel expenses for a limited number of participants (including to/from Manchester) to enable in-person participation in the workshop.

Travel expenses will be allocated on first-come-first-served basis, and priority will be given to PhD students and those who would otherwise find it difficult to fund their travel to Manchester.

If you would like to take up this opportunity please let us know in advance by emailing liz.richardson@manchester.ac.uk by Monday 26th September. Please provide details of where you will be travelling from including the mode of transport. Funds to cover expenses will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis until funds last.

COVID-19

Anyone planning to attend the event in person should ensure they are familiar with the latest rules and guidance issued by the UK government regarding COVID-19 and should not act contrary to such rules and guidance. We recommend that you take a lateral flow test before attending the event. Wearing masks will be optional but not compulsory.

AHRC Design and Policy Network Roundtable: untapped potential