VIRTUAL: Learning. Life. Work.

Abstract

Utilising speculative futures methodologies such as those deployed within the Royal College of Art’s superFUTURES research-led design studio this paper shares possible futures for Higher Education. Using film, audio, and imagery – three discreet ficto-critical near future narratives will be told through the conversations and documents of future university staff and students. Humanity 101 – University students share their opposing thoughts, and seminar notes from compulsory ‘Queer Matters’ and ‘White Privilege’ classes. A near future critique highlighting compulsory education processes, drawing attention to decolonising the curriculum endeavours and other EDI metrics. Peer Review Pay – After the 2030 annual pay review, lecturer Sami scans his P61 online to find his salary has been cut once again. Clicking on the link Sami is taken to a summary of comments from his colleagues and the associated numerical reductions. A near future critique highlighting staff performance and appraisal reviews, collegiality, peer review, and complaints procedures. Untitled – Colleagues in a curriculum design meeting writing the programme descriptor for the new post disciplinary programme starting Sept 2035 are struggling with the course title and description. A near future critique highlighting disciplinarity, radicality and institutional organisation. The presentation will conclude with details of the design research questions underlying each of the narrative futures, dissecting the content, production and design fiction artefacts present in each of the futures.