Questions & Hypotheses Submission extended till 30.06.08

QUESTIONS & HYPOTHESES

DRNetwork Learning Conference 2008, Berlin, October 25&26
http://www.questions-hypotheses.org

Call for paper click here
Submission click here
Registration (Open on 01.08.2008). Priority are given to presenters and students.
Reviews (Open 17.06.2008)

In 2008, there are at least eight design conferences: CUMULUS, Changing the Change, SwissDesignNetwork, DRS, Design History, Research into Practice, Participatory Design, Design & Emotion. With so many conferences in place, one cannot help but wonder the value of having another one. To warrant its existence, ‘Questions & Hypotheses’ (Q&H) must offer something that other conferences do not. Q&H has three distinct characteristics that aim to fill the gaps left open by others.

Target: Student-Centered.. Q&H is for student researchers. We call Q&H a learning conference because we set our first priority on the benefits of student researchers.

Format: Discussion-Oriented. Conference is a rare opportunity for face-to-face interaction. Q&H is designed in such a way to ensure sufficient time and favourable environment for debates.

Content: Promote rigour in conceptualizing. Design Research has been self-conscious about its lack of systematic methods and theories in comparison to other academic disciplines. This self-consciousness, on the one hand, to a certain degree, has advanced the quality of design discourse; on the other hand, it has resulted in much research that is methodologically rigorous but conceptually weak. ‘Here is the solution and what was the problem?’ seems to describe the unfavourable character of much design research. It is forgotten that it is questions and ideas that give meanings and values to meticulously executed research. Q&H is aimed to promote rigor in formulating research questions and conceiving new ideas, thus the conference title.

The conference is about questions and hypotheses. Q&H is not only interested in ‘talking’ about questions and hypotheses, but also ‘doing’ questions and hypotheses. Q&H welcomes submissions that reflect on the role and practice of questioning and hypothesising in Design Research. Equally welcomed are submissions that contain critical and interesting questions and/or hypotheses in all domains of Design Research. We emphasize that it is systematic research that is sought. Reports of ordinary design practice are not appropriate.

Q&H is for doctoral and masters student researchers. Senior researchers who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences in open and constructive discussion are also very welcome.

Submit an abstract in English (maximum 1000 words) addressing the conference themes. We use the ‘visible review’ process at Q&H. That means, abstracts are anonymous but are available on the DRNetwork for all to read and to comment. Abstracts will be reviewed by two anonymous reviewers whose evaluations will also be available for all to read and to comment. Conference organisers determine final acceptance of abstracts.

Call for paperclick here
Submission click here
Registration (Open on 01.08.2008). Priority are given to presenters and students.
Reviews (Open 17.06.2008)

Student researchers are encouraged and expected to participate actively in raising questions as well as sharing experiences and ideas. We welcome ‘creative’ presentations and uses of prototypes and visual aids besides the Powerpoint. Each presentation should be concise and lasts 10 minutes and be followed by 20-minute constructive discussion. Discussion will be chaired by a student researcher and supported by at least one invited senior researcher who is friendly and knowledgeable. H&Q will run from 13:00 to 21:00 and we encourage after-hour get-together.

Pre-Conference Social (Final Program Available 15.10.2008)
24.10.2008 19:30
Special talk by Keith Russel

Conference Program (Final Program Available 15.10.2008)
Conference Day 1 - 25.10.2008

12:30 Registration
13:00 - 15:00 Session 1
15:00 - 15:30 Coffee
15:30 - 17:30 Session 2
17:30 - 18:00 Coffee
18:00 - 19:00 Talk by Alain Findeli
19:00 - 20:00 Drinks

Conference Day 2 - 26.10.2008
10:00 - 12:00 Session 3
12:00 - 13:00 Quick Lunch
13:00 - 15:00 Session 4
15:00 - 17:00 Close & Drinks

The output of the conference will be disseminated. Full papers will be written after the conference and be reviewed and published on DRNetwork with an ISBN number.

Pre-Conference Social: October 24, 2008
Conference: October 25 & 26, 2008

Abstract Submission Open: 05.05.2008
Abstract Submission Closed: 30.06.2008
Review: 30.06.2008 – 23.07.2008
Acceptance Notice: 01-04.08.2008
Registration Open: 01.08.2008
Registration Closed: 25.09.2008
Final Paper Submission: 15.12.2008

KulturBrauerei - Maschinenhaus click here
Schönhauser Allee 36
10435 Berlin - Prenzlauer Berg
Germany

Pre-Conference Social
Auditorium ("Aula")University of the Arts (UdK) click here
Fakultät Gestaltung
Universität der Künste Berlin
Strasse des 17. Juni 118
4th Floor
10623 Berlin-Tiergarten

Recommended Hotels (Available 1.08.2008)
Travel tips (Available 1.08.2008)
Visa Matters (Available 1.08.2008)
Getting around Berlin (Available 1.08.2008)
Map to Conference site (Available 1.08.2008)

Free. With registration, you are committed to attending the conference on the 25 & 26 of October, 2008. As a courtesy to your fellow researchers, please withdraw registration as soon as possible if you can not make it to the conference.

H&Q will have a maximum of 70 delegates. Registration will be first come first serve. Priorities will be given to presenters and student researchers.

Q&H is sponsored by the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories, an associated institute at the Technische Universität Berlin and System Design at Kunsthochschule Kassel. Q&H is composed of two different groups: academic and organisational.

Conference Chairs: Rosan Chow, Wolfgang Jonas, Gesche Joost
Discussion Chairs: TBA
Invited Senior Researchers: Alain Findeli, Mike Press, Keith Russell, Susann Vihma, Khaldoun Zreik
Reviewers: DRNetwork Advisory Board members

Conference Correspondence: Jules Muench, Birgit Bauer
Registration: Birgit Bauer
Graphic Design: Nadja Schäfer & Birgit Bauer
Invited Guests Coordination: Irene Hube
Social Event: Tom Bieling
Student Chairs Coordination: Katharina Bredies
Submission: Jan Gohlke
Technical Systems: Fabian Hemmert

For academic matters, contact Rosan Chow at rosan.chow@telekom.de
For organizational matters, contact Jules Muench at j.muench@www.designresearchnetwork.org