The future is a work in progress

The future is a work in progress banner

Design has Power. It is the ultimate interdisciplinary enabler.

Embark upon a journey of discovery as we share the culmination of five years dedicated pursuit of knowledge, funded through a groundbreaking E3 initiative by Research England in 2019. During this time four centres of design-research excellence across the UK applied their expertise to work at the intersection of design and global challenges:

We invite you to a unique gathering where all four centres unite in one time and place at Lancaster University (UK), where we will explore the complexities of our future world. A forum sharing not only the insights, impact, and transformative implications we have learned, but also why they matter. Welcome to a gathering that demonstrates how design research transcends disciplines, challenges assumptions, and shapes the very fabric of tomorrow.

The future is a work in progress exhibition

Glimpse possible futures of designing for a world in constant flux. An exhibition of cutting-edge interdisciplinary design research from four design-research centres of excellence across the UK. Participants can experience the exhibition as part of this event.

The full programme and speakers are below with speaker bios here.

Registrations for this event are now closed.

The future is a work in progress, Friday 15th March,
LICA Building, Lancaster University

Agenda

09:00 – Welcome and refreshments

09:30 – Welcome

Professor Nick Dunn, Executive Director of ImaginationLancaster and Chair of Urban Design. 

Rachel Cooper, OBE, Distinguished Professor of Design Management and Policy and Director of ImaginationLancaster.


Opening talks

Professor Andy Schofield, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University

Dr Geoff Hill, Senior Policy Advisor, UK Research and Innovation


09.50 – Designing for health and wellbeing

Discover valuable insights from research centred around the relationship between design and health and wellbeing. Learn of the innovative approaches we have developed around the role of design to promote a healthy, connected, ageing population, and understand what this could mean for our future home and built environment.

Panellists

Dr Shaila Afroj, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE Bristol.
Wearable e-textiles for healthy aging population.
Claire Craig, Professor of Design and Creative Practise in Health and Co-Director of Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University.
The 100 year life: lessons on the role of designing for wellbeing throughout the life-course.
Emmanuel Tsekleves, Professor in Global Health Design Innovation, Lancaster University.
The Futures of Human Reproduction: The role of Design.

Responder: Gail Mountain, Professor Emeritus at Bradford and Honorary Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Sheffield 

10.40 – Designing for net zero futures

Explore the use of design-led, interdisciplinary research as a catalyst for accelerating our slow march toward ‘net zero’. Design research transcends and paves the way for more-than-human, equitable solutions to the intricate challenges posed by the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. Move beyond mere ‘sustainability’. Join us in envisioning designs that minimise harm and contribute to positive social and environmental impacts.

Panellists

Dr Tavs Jorgenson, Associate Professor and AHRC Leadership Fellow at the Centre for Print Research, UWE, Bristol.
Digital Toolmaking for Cob Brick Extrusion.
Dr Kaisu Koski, Associate Professor for Art and Design, Sheffield Hallam University.
Rethinking multispecies relationships in the Arctic.
Dr Mike Stead, Lecturer in Sustainable Design Futures, Lancaster University.
Beyond Zero: Sustainable Futures By Design.
Ben Bridgens, Professor of Regenerative Architecture at Newcastle University and co-director of the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment.
The future of the built environment: life-sustaining and sustained by life.

Responder: Justin McGuirk, Director of Future Observatory at the Design Museum.

11:30 – Break and refreshments

11.50 – Designing across disciplines

Delve into the transformative power of diverse disciplines collaborating through design-led research, transcending boundaries and fostering innovation. Join us in redefining what is possible as we share the challenges and stories of working at the intersection of ideas, methods, and disciplines, creating space for groundbreaking outcomes to emerge.

Panellists

Dr Xavier Aure, AHRC Research, Development and Engagement Fellow, UWE, Bristol.
The scanner is a work in progress
Paul Chamberlain, Professor of Design and Co-Director of Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University.
A disciplined approach to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working.
Dr Paul Cureton, Senior Lecturer in Design, Lancaster University.
Geodesign and Urban Digital Twins
Dr Jane Scott, Academic Track Fellow in the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Newcastle University.
The Living Textiles Interface: Design at the intersection of biotechnology and the built environment.

Responder: Professor Carinna Parraman, Director of the Centre for Print Research, UWE, Bristol

12:40 – Reflections and wrap up – Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, Distinguished Professor, Lancaster University.


13:00 – Lunch and conversation, exhibition viewing


14:30 – Event close.

Registrations for this event are now closed.

Festival of Futures

The Festival of Futures is the culmination of the £13.2M Beyond Imagination Project funded by Research England and Lancaster University demonstrating how cutting-edge design research can contribute to a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable world.