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What to Make of the Appropriation of Autopoiesis in Architecture?
Get PDFWe investigate cross-disciplinary appropriations of natural scientific theory in architecture with a focus on the theory of autopoiesis, developed by the Chilean neuro-biologists Humberto Maturana, Francisco Varela, and Ricardo Uribe in the early 1970s. Since its inception, this theory has been applied to phenomena beyond biology, most notably in sociology by Niklas Luhmann and, based on that, in architecture by Patrick Schumacher. So far, Schumacher’s appropriation of the theory of autopoiesis in architecture has led neither to a broader, structured discourse nor to a coherent critique, begging the question: What are the merits of Patrick Schumacher’s appropriation of the theory of autopoiesis from the perspective of academic architectural research? To address this question, we employ the method of discourse analysis as well as a purpose-developed analytical framework, aiming to show patterns of language use, merits, and respective benefactors of natural-scientific theory appropriation in architecture and design. We are particularly interested in the extent to which reasoning and language use of academic research may inform architectural practice and vice versa, and we hope that our findings are also applicable in other contexts where strangely obvious-yet-vague connections between design and natural-scientific theory are drawn
Systems of Information Dissemination
No full textHow the control and manipulation of information helps to maintain control, influence and money
We are living in one of the most polarizing times in history, from politics to public health, social media to foreign wars, with every new and relevant event filtered through the prism of our cultural war. The erosion of trust in media, government, business and expert opinion threatens our democracy. Our research team sought to investigate ‘how might we re-build a society with shared truth and trust between institutions of power and citizens?’ This research takes an in-depth examination into the systems of information generation: how information acts as a commodity to further the interests of traditional media; the role of big tech government actors and experts; how narratives amplify the agendas of these actors to maintain power; how the business of money and control the attention economy through clicks, views and votes. Our team applied research methodologies of causal layered analysis, iterative inquiry, stakeholder influence maps, system story loops and case studies designed and summarized in a Gigamap for problem visualization. We envisioned our future state using two design methods: The Three Horizons and an intervention wheel. The results from our research identified four key leverage points or places to intervene that balanced between systems, societal and citizen interventions
The Hidden Curriculum in Medical Education: Exposing the Loss of Empathy
No full textThis project investigated the medical education system to address the decline of empathy in medical students, uncover the causes and influencing factors, and offer our findings towards re-designing the system with empathy intervention methods. Empathy is an essential element of the health seeker-to-physician relationship. This systems study exposes a set of teachings communicated to physicians-in-training called the hidden curriculum as a major cause of this prominent decline. Research, analysis, visual mapping, and persona development collectively formed a deep understanding of the system and journey through the medical education system, exposing points of the hidden curriculum and opportunities for points of intervention. The outcomes of this project highlight possibilities for a changed education system through strategically designed intervention methods that can assist in empathy recovery for medical students and future physicians
DeepFakes in India : From words for the lies to the faces for the lies
Get PDFSocial media has shifted the narrative of our public discourse. There is an acceleration in the way we consume and spread information. India, saw a major setback when people chose to believe the news that was shared on Whatsapp, which led to lynchings. Looking at the timeline of deepfakes, their growth, and their application, it is highly speculated that within the near future deepfakes can be used for the same purpose of spreading false information. The thesis explores the connection between fake news and deepfakes in the Indian context, which will illustrate the need for greater digital literacy to prevent the continued acceleration of false information. The practical output is a prototype of a realistic and convincing deepfake that is exhibited to create discourse and advocate for greater digital literacy
Future Well-Being of Transgender People in the Workplace
Get PDFA global movement over the last decade to promote gender diversity in the workplace has mitigated, yet not eliminated, marginalization of transgender employees and their exclusion from some workplaces. This report examines the current extent and modes of inclusion, marginalization and exclusion, and explores the well-being of research participants from the transgender and gender non-conforming community within their workplaces. The author, a transgender individual currently enrolled in a graduate program, makes sense for readers of the complexities and uncertainties affecting these working people’s quality of life. He identifies causes for hope within their present circumstances and, with that information and several modes of analysis, proposes opportunities to design a future of optimal workplace well-being for transgender people.
This report’s primary research question is: How might we design a future that supports optimal well-being of transgender people in the workplace?
The article explores three transgender adults’ perspectives on and experiences of well-being in their workplaces. At the time of their interviews, the participants all worked in what, since the onset of COVID-19, are known as frontline occupations: education, healthcare, and retail customer service. The author collected survey responses from fifteen anonymous, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals working to provide more diverse perspectives on workplace well-being in frontline and non-frontline occupations. Summaries and multiple modes of analyses paint a clear picture of the range and commonalities of the participants’ present workplace circumstances and their visions of a future in that workplace more supportive of their well-being.
The research process is modeled on Human-Centered Design, with the research question also serving as the design challenge. The construct of well-being is explored, to strengthen interview and survey data and the Three Horizons map highlighting aspirational futures of well-being. The author additionally analyzes the data through a systems thinking lens, applying system archetypes to uncover improvement opportunities and constraints hiding within these data sets. Each analysis of primary data is contextualized by a review of relevant literature, including a section devoted to the effect on transgender workers of COVID-19 exigencies. Grounded by sustainable development principles, the author designed a prototype of a process to shift workplace paradigms toward achieving optimal well-being for transgender employees.
This report’s primary and secondary research findings, and the early process-prototype, are intended to contribute to knowledge mobilization – the creation and sharing of knowledge – among readers interested in manifesting a future where all workers recognize and value gender diversity and transgender workers’ well-being as beneficial for their workplace and everyone within it.
Keywords: Gender Diversity, Inclusion, Design, Knowledge Mobilization, Strategic Foresight, Transgender, Well-being, Workplac
‘Squeaky/Pain’: Cultivating Disturbing Experiences and Perspective Transition for Somaesthetic Interactions
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CUTTING ACROSS: Identities and Digital Marketing
Get PDFThis Major Research Project (MRP) looks at the intersection of digital marketing and identities, amongst liminal persons and those who have multiple identities. In Les Rites de Passage, 1909, Arnold van Gennep introduced the concept of liminality as the transition between two social states, such as entering a new life stage. My research also builds upon Victor Turner’s concepts of liminality, identity transformation, and multiple personas. In digital worlds, liminality and identity play are common practices. As the internet faces further commercialization and transformation (e.g., regulation, data management, new social platforms), marketers need to better understand identity management.
Marketing and communications platforms shape identity and influence behaviour. Marketers track personas, which lay the basis of assumptions and decision-making. Digital marketing has transformed our ideas of self and individual representation, often serving corporate goals. Those who are marginalized are often over surveilled or completely unaccounted for, creating misrepresented customer profiles.
Research with marginalized individuals in Canada was conducted to understand their multiple identities, digital lives, and liminality. Interviews, digital diaries, and foresight scenarios illuminated influences on how digital identities are formed and managed. Marginalized groups are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of digital marketing, such as discrimination, highlighting pertinent ethical concerns and leverage points for improvement.
This MRP’s insights inform digital marketing and market segmentation to ensure ethical and human-centred practices that respect the individual. The recommendations address how digital marketing can adequately account for the plurality of individuals, and how people undergo constant identity change. The most desirable future of identities is one that is transformational, exhibiting sovereignty over one’s multiple identities. This includes three key themes — identity construction, social relationships, and financial and transactional implications — to reach a more equitable identity ecosystem
Evaluating intersections of vision impairment with stem research in Canada
Get PDFA quarter of a million Canadians have some sort of vision loss. To inform programs and policy about persons with visual impairments, I focused on research questions in the current Canadian literature: Looking at accommodations and barriers that persons with visual impairments confront when pursuing STEM learning; to identify deeper themes and gaps that present themselves; and use the gathered data as information that will lay the foundation for further research inquiries, improvements, and pedagogical change in educators for persons with visual impairment (PVI). A comprehensive search of databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, ERIC) was performed. Due to the minor criteria, the focus was on Canadian literature or the best available research on the keywords used. The findings highlighted themes that emerged in three different areas of accessibility, behaviour, and social settings for PVI.
Furthermore, relationships were highlighted between the main themes and broken down further. This MRP discusses accommodation and the social and behavioural context in STEM education and identifies barriers faced by PVI and educators. While there is ample research on accessibility for PVI, more research needs to take place on lived experiences of PVI and to understand the behaviour and social aspects of engagement to ensure services of accommodations are met
When Tito Went on Vacation (re-imagining nostalgia)
Get PDFContemporary nostalgia sits at the intersection of imagination and memories. Not only is it a tool of redefining identities, but it is a powerful agent of social unification and cultural integration. In my thesis exhibition works I construct a visual interpretation of the concept and the experience of nostalgia through the abstract forms and movements of monument-like, large mobile sculptures made of coloured and mirrored acrylic. Through my imagined pen-pal conversations with the late Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito, my research and exhibition posit that memories of places, people, events, and sensibilities can be translated effectively into abstract objects that are at once evocative and representational