VIRTUAL Prague Research & Teaching Conference
Abstract
Often limited by traditional boundaries and siloes within academia, some design educators navigate the intersection of research and teaching in isolation, with limited opportunities for interdisciplinary or cross-institutional collaboration. This isolation hinders the development of impactful dynamic research practices that leverage collective expertise. Responding to this challenge, our research explores the creation and facilitation of platforms that foster collaborative exchanges among educators, transcending disciplinary, institutional, and geographical boundaries. Our resulting paper answers the broader question of how might we reimagine our academic spaces to inspire collective growth and global exchange within and beyond the field of design. A taxonomy of collaborative platforms in design academia will analyze existing initiatives that prioritize dialog, shared decision-making, and collective creative output, examining how such spaces empower educators. These initiatives range from small-scale conversational platforms to larger collaborative projects that encourage engagement outside core curricular structures. They include physical environments for creative practice, collectives supporting shared intellectual and artistic exploration, and invitational prompts designed to contribute to a broader body of work. By emphasizing the value of dialog and co-creation, these spaces not only address the challenges of professional isolation but also encourage interdisciplinary approaches to pedagogy and research. Through surveying and mapping a variety of approaches to creating collaborative platforms and analyzing their impact, we can better design and sustain these spaces, reflecting on their potential to transform individual practice and broader academic communities. This paper advocates for collaborative spaces as vital tools necessary for adapting to change, fostering innovation, and building supportive academic networks.
Rebecca Tegtmeyer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History and Design at Michigan State University. Through her active research, writing, making, and teaching agenda she investigates the role of a designer and the creative process through a variety of analog and digital forms. Working both individually and collaboratively, she approaches design as a catalyst in facilitating systems that challenge and inspire—further extending the capabilities and responsibilities of a designer in today’s complex world. Rebecca is co-author of Collaboration in Design Education (Bloomsbury Academic)
Marty Maxwell Lane’s research critically examines leadership, design pedagogy, and collaborative practices to reveal more intentional ways of approaching how we work, learn, and build community. She is a co-author of Collaboration in Design Education (Bloomsbury, 2020). She is currently an Associate Professor of Graphic Design in the School of Art at the University of Arkansas, where she also serves as the Associate Director of the School. Marty is passionate about community building and improving access to opportunities in Arkansas and is proud to serve on the Board of Directors of Thrive in Helena, Arkansas.