I have been lurking on this list for a good while (and have slightly
over 1000 messages flagged as "don't forget this point") but have been
drawn into the discussion by the confluence of:
- the relationship of phd-design to engineers and engineering
- the research/practice question/issue
- the "are we about developing a design PhD?" question
As background, I spend the last two years trying to craft a PhD in
Engineering Design Education at the University of Western Ontario,
Canada. I recently decided to step back, withdraw from my research
activities, and re-focus. This move was prompted by:
- the lack of a vision for design research within engineering
- the lack of faculty support for a "non-traditional" engineering PhD
- a (perceived) lack of resources to help develop a workable design
PhD
- the (perceived) lack of research into design education
I must point out that there were some very supportive individuals (my
supervisor foremost among them) but that individual support and
interest could not overcome the lack of an "accepted path" within
engineering and the broader university.
In the hope of finding a path for myself and of furthering the
discussions on phd-design, I would like to propose that the list
attempt to define a PhD programme in engineering design (education?)
that is:
- rigorous (whatever that means?)
- acceptable to the engineering discipline (which affects the design
disciplines, whatever they are?)
- about a broader conception of design than axiometric methods
- suitable to convince a university to confer a Doctorate
In my wildest visions the result would be something akin to a "How to
Get a PhD in Engineering Design" manual for aspiring students. I
believe that waiting for wholesale change to occur in existing programs
or disciplines will not further the phd-design mandate (as I see it) to
the same degree as providing potential students with something they can
use to legitimize design as a research activity. If it helps me to get
back into "the game" then so much the better :)
I throw this out as a thought and as a way to tie some of the current
threads together; any comments or takers? I will be working on this
problem on my own, but value the thoughts and suggestions of the list
members.
Jason Foster
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