Social Sustainability in Design: Moving the Discussions Forward

Abstract

This paper describes a Delphi Study conducted to begin filling the definitional deficits that exist in the discussions around social sustainability in design. The results from three rounds of the study opened a rich and multi-layered debate amongst a panel of experts from across the spectrum of design and sustainability. The paper opens by establishing a contextual background for the study and then follows with the delivery of the Delphi Study rounds and outcomes produced by the productive back and forth dialogue between researcher and experts. In conclusion, the paper presents a ‘living’ construct for social sustainability in design, as well as a framework of practical competencies designers should demonstrate to move the discussion in a more pragmatic direction.

Keywords:

• sustainable design
• design research
• design education
• design theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The Delphi Method consists of a group of expert responding to a series of questionnaires over at least two rounds of questioning. In between each round the responses are collated, analysed and fed back to the panel by the researcher. Linstone and Turoff (2002).

2. The full analysis process and detailed results can be found in McMahon (2013).

3. (1 = Essential, 2 = Desirable but not essential, 3 = Slightly useful, 4 = Irrelevant).

4. Wilder Collaboration Factors – Mattessich et al (2001); Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal; Critical Thinking Assessments – Ennis (1985); A logical basis for measuring critical thinking skills – Sternberg and Baron (1985); Ennis (1994, 1993); Pierce (2006); Facione (2011); Sense-making – Dervin (1992, 2012). Available at: http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20Clusters/Organizational%20Communication/Sensemaking.doc/ [Accessed 30 January 2012]; Valencia Community College (2011). Available at: http://valenciacollege.edu/competencies/ [Accessed 27 June 2011].; Valencia Community College (2006). Clark (2011); for Hofstede’s views on culture see Schadewitz (2009: 37–53).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Muireann McMahon

Muireann McMahon, having recently completed her PhD at Loughborough Design School, UK, is on sabbatical leave from her lecturing position at the University of Limerick, Ireland where she is involved in teaching Product Design at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has previously worked as a Design Lecturer at the Institute of Technology, Carlow; Unitec Auckland, New Zealand; Bournemouth University, UK and as professional designer in the commercial furniture and interior industry. Her PhD dealt with the integration of Social Sustainability into Design Education through collaborative projects. She is currently Scholar in Residence with Designmatters at Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, USA. Her research interests cover Social Innovation in Design, Sustainable Design, Design Education and Responsible Professional Practice.

Tracy Bhamra

Tracy Bhamra is Professor of Sustainable Design and Dean of Loughborough Design School. She has a BSc in Manufacturing and an MSc in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management. She completed her PhD in Design for Disassembly and Recycling at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1995. Professor Bhamra has extensive research experience in the field of sustainable design initially during her PhD and then following that at Manchester Business School and Cranfield University. During this time she has been very active in developing the research area of Sustainable Design. Tracy has over 100 publications associated with her work and has been awarded funding totalling over £1.1 million from various bodies such as DEFRA, EPSRC, DTI, Design Council and a number of industrial organizations: Boots, Huntleigh Technology, BT, Nortel, Electrolux, ICL and Tencel.