Design Anthropology Phd Course

Abstract

Combining theoretical investigations and practice based experiments in a series of research seminars; the PhD course addressed questions regarding the processes and practices of designing/ using things. The first part of the course was held at the Department of Anthropology, University of Aberdeen. Learning was weighted towards theoretical investigations whereas the second part of the course in Sønderborg considered the relations between theory and practice. Focusing on the relations between designing, making and using, delegates engaged with a series of research issues on the interface between: theory and practice, building and using, gesture, craft and skill, property, ownership and transaction of products. The issues were explored though collaborative team working, co-design, co-analysis, and cross-comparative study.

Keywords: Design, anthropology, theory, practice based experimentation, PhD education