Ken
One way forward with this conundrum is to encourage and support consultant and corporate designers (and I’m talking about those with capability in hands-on creative practice in various disciplines) to undertake a part–time PhD as a staff candidate when they take up an academic position. To soften the blow of engaging in academic research as opposed to visually creative practice (which can be quite a shock), the use of the candidate’s own creative practice to support data collection is now an accepted methodological approach. I went down this particular route myself and, whilst some may wish to disagree, I’d consider myself a fairly well adjusted hybrid. Benefits of this approach manifest themselves in many and sometimes unexpected ways. For example, a few weeks ago one of my PhD students (with a background in mechanical engineering) needed a design for an original consumer product to support his data collection; so I designed one for him. I also had to put my practitioner hat on to produce a graphic design solution (I’m an industrial designer by the way) for the iD Cards that translated the work of a former PhD student (Eujin Pei) into a design tool for the Industrial Designers Society of America.
Whilst this approach doesn’t necessarily resolve the Catch 22 when a PhD is needed to get the academic job in the first place, when it does occur it has the potential to foster the cross-disciplinary capabilities that are alluded to in the discussion.
And whilst I agree with you that “What we often get is dismal research in schools controlled by practicing designers”; let’s not forget that we can also get dismal practice in schools controlled by researchers, particularly at an undergraduate level. I wouldn’t want to name names, but it’s certainly out there.
Thanks
Mark
Dr Mark Evans
Design Practice Research Group Leader
Loughborough Design School
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