Discussing Research Through Co-design in Policy-Making

Abstract

The paper describes possible connections between the Research Through Co-design (RTC) model and the contexts of the policy-making through a theoretical framework for envisioning the policy-making as a co-design process and the work of the policy-makers as an autoregulatory research process. The authors use the RTC model with the aim to understand if it describes a valuable process to be introduced in contexts of policy-making. The RTC model is based on the control system theory and the authors discuss how the autoregulation from an RTC perspective is a valuable point to be study in policy-making. In conclusion, key aspects to be adopted in policy-making are suggested (i.e. the autoregulation property; the co-design driven process; the role of the policy maker as a researcher) and crucial aspects to be study further are highlighted (i.e. the effects of positive and negative feedback; the variables that determines the exit from the system).

Research through co-design

“…In the second and third loops, we followed the same process steps by firstly refining the variables and the model prototype for each loop, as well as verifying the reliability of the obtained results through mathematical applications and comparison with the existing literature on RTD. Regarding the development of the model prototypes during the loops, we conceptualised their simulation in different backgrounds by presenting our RTC theory and its possible application in the field of applied ergonomics and human factors (Busciantella-Ricci & Scataglini 2020a); its application as a logical aid to prepare for a shared scenario of a research process (Scataglini & Busciantella-Ricci 2020); as a model able to visualise the nature of places such as maker-spaces and FabLabs (Scataglini & Busciantella-Ricci 2021a); as a model to reflect on the future of design education (Busciantella-Ricci & Scataglini 2020c); for connecting RTC with ergonomics principles (Scataglini & Busciantella-Ricci 2021b) and policy-making (Busciantella-Ricci & Scataglini 2020b), and for reflection on the connection between RTC, Design for All and Policy Ergonomics (Busciantella-Ricci & Scataglini 2021). We used the designed model as a speculative design proposal (Raby 2008) adopting a speculative research approach (Wilkie, Savransky & Rosengarten 2017) to discuss theoretical aspects within seven peer-reviewed papers in three international conferences and one journal.…”