BRIDGING THE RELATIONAL GAP: SYSTEMIC DESIGN AND AI, SPARC-ING SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION IN UNIVERSITIES
Year: 2024
Editor: Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik; Buck, Lyndon
Author: Pérez Machin, Haizea; Taylor, Alex
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Oslomet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway; Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet AFI
Page(s): 569 - 574
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2024.96
ISBN: 978-1-912254-200
ISSN: 3005-4753
Abstract
In a contemporary context, the university has evolved into a dynamic living system, providing a habitat for a multitude of institutional entities and stakeholders. This includes students, faculty, researchers, as well as a varied array of academic and administrative departments. Universities have tried to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of a developing society whilst the academic community helps apply focus on what should be taught and researched. However, in their outward gaze, universities sometimes neglect to examine their internal dynamics, leading to a potentially static and hierarchical organizational structure in a rapidly evolving society. This paper gives perspectives on the use of systemic and product design methodology combined with AI as a tool to facilitate an inward examination of university organizational structures. The paper attempts to provide a deeper understanding of the existing challenges and the necessary adaptations to contribute to the development of a sustainable society within the university system. This research is derived from SPARC, ‘Sustainable Partnerships and Research Collaborations’, a student-led research pilot owned by Arbeidsforskningsinstituttet (AFI - Work Research Institute) and Oslomet. SPARC was created and led by three product design students collaborating with research assistants and research professors at AFI. This partnership is currently studying how collaborative partnerships can enhance sustainable thinking at OsloMet in the form of systemic changes. The use of systemic design aims to outline symptoms of the existing communication structures, revealing the potential of new communication flows and dynamics. The research seeks to design innovative approaches that address the complex interplay of elements within the stakeholders at fragmented organizational structures in the university. In the pursuit of this objective, the student shape AI to analyze qualitative data gathered through explorative workshops involving various stakeholders at the university, which is at the core of the research. The article speculates and suggests the potential of design students to shape existing systems by utilizing this approach in their product design education. The paper strongly advocates for the necessity of mindful and intentional use of AI to fully harness the potential of this tool, emphasizing the synergy between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, and recognizing the complementary roles they play in the research process. This initiative is allocated to the following Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations; 17. Partnership for the Goal and 4. Quality Education is incorporated not only in the aim but also in the research methodology. Design approaches, along with advancing AI, provide a holistic examination of sustainable solutions by cultivating awareness and capabilities for action, developing partnerships, and improving educational quality within the university ecosystem.
Keywords: Systemic Design, Product Design, Partnership, Stakeholders, Systemic change, Sustainability, Universities, Research, Interdisciplinarity, Social innovation.