Types, obstacles and sources of empowerment in co-design: the role of shared material objects and processes
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Co-design is intrinsically linked to the notion of empowerment, however little research has focussed specifically on understanding the types, obstacles and sources of empowerment in co-design. This paper combines theoretical investigations with observations derived from co-designed research by academic and non-academic partners to explore these issues, in particular, the role of shared material objects and processes in supporting empowerment during co-design. The paper uses the notions of ‘power over,’ ‘power to’, ‘power with’ and ‘power within’ to tease out different aspects of empowerment, and draws on empirical observations to determine different obstacles and sources associated with each. The study therefore makes a theoretical contribution to the understanding of co-design as an empowerment process and should be useful for design researchers undertaking co-design projects with non-experts.
Source: CoDesign
Language: English
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: Unearth Hidden Assets through Community Co-design and Co-production, Connected Communities & Design Highlight: Empowering Design Practices: historic places of worship as catalysts for connecting communities, G2694873127, G3240307301, G3829881499, G8011277643, Scaling Up Co-Design research and practice: building community-academic capacity and extending reach
OpenAlex ID: W2940866901