New Report on 鈥楧esign & Policy鈥� co-authored by Professor Liz Richardson
A report calling for more cross-disciplinary research on design in public policy has been launched by the AHRC funded Design|Policy network and endorsed by the cross-government Policy Design Community.
There is a growing field in practice and research dedicated to investigating the distinctive contribution of design to policymaking. Whilst the UK is a leader in the use of design in government and policy, this leading position could be enhanced through a more effective, cross-disciplinary evidence base about the use of design expertise in policymaking.
This was the key message in a report launched this month, is co-authored by Catherine Durose, Lucy Kimbell, Ramia Maz茅, and Liz Richardson.
, Head of the cross-government Policy Design Community highlighted the value of this intervention in 鈥榬aising the waterline鈥� by enhancing the credibility and providing external validation of the significant potential of design within policymaking.
, Executive Chair of the also strongly welcomed the report and emphasised the contribution that design can make to addressing tensions in government between long-term responses to wicked challenges, and the short-term necessities of governing.
, Distinguished Professor of Design Management and Policy at Lancaster University and a Director of , agreed with the recommendations to help the field come into maturity from its 鈥榯eenage鈥� years. , Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit argued that design has a critical role to play in meeting the significant challenges of service delivery, but needs to be able do so in a way that recognises the hard realities of funding.
The report proposes a research agenda that deepens understanding of: (1) the extent of design in policymaking, (2) how design鈥檚 distinctiveness can be applied through different types of design, (3) its impact, and (4) different relationships between design and policy. The launch events recognised design as an innovative approach to policymaking, while highlighting that it is not always well understood by policymakers. To this end, the report provides a basis for staking out the future directions of design research and policymaking.
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