Biologically informed disciplines : a comparative analysis of terminology within the fields of bionics, biomimetics, and biomimicry

Abstract

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All things bio : A conceptual domain-based approach to mapping practice within the landscape of biologically informed disciplines

“…The lack of a single unifying theory and methodology in this space is often reported in the discourse (Bar-Cohen, 2011;Iouguina, Dawson, Hallgrimsson, & Smart, 2014;Mazzoleni, 2013;Myers, 2012). Iouguina (2013) observed that the overarching BID field has emerged from interdisciplinary practice-based research that is clumsily positioned among misinformed and ambiguous terminologies.…”

“…The diverse range of meanings for a small number of terms (polysemy) is a significant factor that contributes to terminological disharmony; a systemic issue within scholastic BID discourse as reported by several scholars (Lepora, Verschure and Prescott, 2013;Vincent, 2014;Vincent, 1997;Vincent et al, 2006;Kapsali, 2016;Wahl, 2006;Iouguina, 2013). This phenomenon was studied by Iouguina, Dawson, Hallgrimsson and Smart (2014) using a combination of lexical semantic theory and ethnographic methods.…”

“…However, the prefix bio-and terminology pertaining to interdisciplinary activity centred around biology and its numerous sub disciplines are difficult to navigate, especially by researchers from non-scientific sectors. Iouguina (2013) proposed biologically informed disciplines (BID) as an umbrella term for the sector to consolidate the range of bio-related activities. Wahl (2006) identified two distinct areas of discourse within the BID landscape, one focused on ecological issues and the other technological innovation (Wahl, 2006).…”

“…The findings confirmed the dichotomy reported by Wahl (2006). This study builds upon previous work (Wahl, 2006;Iouguina, 2013;Iouguina et al, 2014) to map the range of discourse at the intersections of biology with science, technology, art, and design using linguistic theories and methods.…”