I think part of the problem is that we all inhabit compartmentalised little
boxes. I have been researching (since 1996)and publishing my research about
young children using drawing to support design thinking in Design and
Technology conferences and journals (since 2000) but only stumbled across the
drawing network as I was doing an update of my literature review prior to
submission of my Ph.D. (in Jan 2003). How many Art & Design people are aware
of the work of those of us in D&T - which is only the box next door, let alone
the work of the literacy people looking at multiple literacies (which includes
drawing, as well as computer graphics). My answer is now to get involved in
mulit-discipline events. D&T conferences have been inviting cognitive
scientists as keynote speakers for some time but several of us have felt that
we need to push ourselves out beyond our subject boundaries and go and present
papers on other peoples' turfs, as it were. Gill Hope
>===== Original Message From The UK drawing research network mailing list
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>Dear Colleagues
>
>It is interesting that in the publicity surrounding a number of recent
>drawing events, there has been little or no reference to research. Given
>the current upsurge of research activity, one might have imagined that
>research would occupy a central position in academic conferences and
>symposia yet, contrarily, discussion of the subject appears almost to have
>been sidelined. I don't understand why this should be so. Could it be that:
>
>a. There is still much disagreement concerning the nature of research in
>our field. Consequently, debates are difficult, sometimes heated, and make
>us uncomfortable.
>
>b. The current shift of emphasis towards research undermines the status and
>authority of practitioners occupying academic positions. They,
>understandably, seek to avoid any discussion which might expose their
>weaknesses in this area.
>
>c. Much of the most influential drawing research in the last 50 years has
>been done by experts in other fields, for example psychologists. But the
>historical separation of art schools from mainstream academia has made us
>loath to engage with, or be challenged by, ideas from other disciplines.
>
>d. Artists are uncomfortable about the possible demystification of their
>activities, which might further undermine their 'special' status.
>
>e. 'Making' is the important thing, the primary activity. Formal research
>is an unwelcome and time consuming distraction.
>
>I would be very interested to hear what others think.
>
>George Whale.
>
>
>http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ac/ad/htmlpages/staff/gwhale.html
>
>George Whale
>Research Associate
>Loughborough University School of Art & Design (LUSAD)
>Loughborough
>Leicestershire
>LE11 3TU
>UK
>
>Tel: +44 (0)1509 228967
>Mobile: 07944 751088
>Fax: +44 (0)1509 228902
Gill Hope
Senior Lecturer Design & Technology
Canterbury Christ Church University College
Canterbury
Kent
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