The CA²RE Conference A Dialogue on Doctoral Research in Design

The recent edition of the CA²RE conference held in Milan served as a significant platform for discourse surrounding doctoral research from an international comparative perspective. This event highlighted the rich, multifaceted engagement with both theoretical inquiry and practical application that characterizes contemporary research in design disciplines. As underscored in current scholarly discussions, there is an increasing emphasis on integrating diverse methodologies, fostering transdisciplinarity, and embracing innovative and speculative approaches to confront societal, environmental, and cultural challenges.

Design as a complex research paradigm

Central to contemporary doctoral research is the understanding that design – whether in architecture, urbanism, interiors, or landscape – is not merely a conventional discipline. Instead, it operates as a complex research paradigm that encompasses both the production and construction of tangible artefacts and the generation of knowledge. This paradigm stresses the necessity for research that is inherently reflective, contextually grounded, and capable of addressing unforeseen societal needs. The dual nature of design-driven research was a focal point of the discussions in Milan, illustrating how it operates within both basic and applied categories. This duality is essential for fostering development as a central theme within the research framework.

The risks of reductionism in design research

The discussions in Milan also brought to light the risks associated with reductionism, where cultural realities are often distilled to geometrical or computable rules. Such an approach can marginalize broader societal and cultural dimensions, undermining the richness of design inquiry. To overcome this reductionism, there is a pressing need for research that promotes synergetic endeavours – merging artistic practices, critical thinking, and experimental processes that traverse and transcend disciplinary boundaries. Tadeja Zupančič’s insights further emphasized the performative potential of design as a mode of inquiry that can generate speculative, playful, and transformative insights, resonating beyond traditional positivist scientific paradigms.

The university as a space for anticipation and imagination

A recurring theme in the discourse is the concept of the university as a space for imagining futures – an arena for playful, anticipatory imagination that informs architectural research, as articulated by Johan De Walsche. It was articulated that research must extend beyond the mere understanding and explanation of existing conditions; it should also encompass the capacity to foresee and influence potential futures. This necessitates an openness to artistic practices, creative speculation, and design-driven processes that generate visions of what might be, rather than what currently exists.

Furthermore, the discussions highlighted the essentiality of addressing the aesthetic and existential qualities of the world, moving beyond the modern scientific tendency to reduce complex phenomena to mere measurable entities. Embracing artistic and design practices that acknowledge the multidimensionality of human experience – spanning practical, ethical, spiritual, and aesthetic dimensions – is crucial. Such an integrated approach is vital for informing resilient, responsive, and ethically grounded architecture and urbanism. Within this context, anticipation emerges as a central aspect of the research process, with the potential to shape desirable futures through conceptual and speculative design.

Empowering future professionals in a complex society

In a societal context characterized by complexity and constant change, the profession of design must evolve towards greater reflection, context-awareness, and societal relevance. European doctoral programmes are increasingly oriented towards cultivating designers who possess critical thinking skills, ethical responsibility, and innovative problem-solving capabilities, all while focusing on sustainable and resilient practices. This perspective advocates for a pedagogical shift wherein doctoral research fosters a deep engagement with both local and global contexts. This engagement is designed to instil a sense of authorship and agency among emerging professionals, enabling them to navigate and shape complex societal challenges effectively.

Roberto Cavallo’s contribution emphasized the importance of empowering future practitioners through research that is rooted in design-driven methodologies. By fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility, doctoral programmes can produce practitioners adept in both technical and aesthetic domains, as well as those who are equipped to address pressing societal concerns.

Addressing the challenges of the anthropocene through collective research

The conference discussions also underscored the profound impacts of the Anthropocene – climate change, ecological crises, and resource depletion – calling for a collective, transdisciplinary approach to design research. Klaus Peder Pedersen noted that design practices must adapt to local and specific conditions, reinforcing the notion that nature cannot be scaled. The horizontal, situated nature of such research fosters impact-driven exploration while critically reflecting on the roles, subjectivities, and new forms of authorship within design processes. This approach aligns with the broader European trend towards embracing collaborative, participatory, and context-sensitive research that aspires to effect tangible societal and environmental change.

The political and institutional dimensions of design research

A significant aspect of the roundtable focused on the epistemological and institutional challenges faced by design-driven research. There was a critical examination of whether design research can be recognised as a form of basic or foundational research. The persistent stratification within European universities and funding bodies often impedes the recognition of hybrid, performative, and experimental practices. Jörg Schroeder advocated for a broader conceptualisation of design-driven research, suggesting it could serve as a ‘door-opener’ for innovative, basic research that addresses both current and future societal challenges. This perspective encourages European doctoral programmes to explore dynamic and flexible research frameworks capable of integrating multiple categories – basic, applied, and experimental – within a performative paradigm that can adapt to complex, real-world issues.

Conclusion: towards a transdisciplinary, performative future

In conclusion, the collective insights garnered from the CA²RE conference articulate a vision of doctoral research within Europe’s architecture-related fields as a deeply transdisciplinary, creative, and socially engaged enterprise. This paradigm underscores the significance of artistic, speculative, and collective approaches capable of addressing the pressing challenges of the twenty-first century. As the landscape of design research continues to evolve, embracing these principles will be essential for fostering innovation, resilience, and ethical responsibility among future professionals. By promoting a transdisciplinary approach, the academic community can better prepare emerging designers to navigate and contribute to a complex and rapidly changing world, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and equitable future for all.