DYN901 Participatory Design and Engagement
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | DYN901 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | For BV99 students only: 192 credit points of completed undergraduate study in BV99. OR Admission into postgraduate courses. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,452 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | DYN901 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 192 credit points of completed undergraduate study in BV99, or admission into any postgraduate course. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | None |
| Coordinator: | Jane Turner | j.turner@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand and articulate the fundamental principles and values that underpin participatory design, with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment and explain how these values guide the participatory design process.
- Be able to Compare and contrast different models of collaboration, advocacy, power sharing, and governance within the context of participatory design, to make informed decisions about which approaches are most suitable for specific design challenges.
- Apply participatory design methods and techniques to addressing complex design challenges in real-world contexts, formulate strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders and end-users, and evaluate the outcomes of participatory design processes.
- Apply knowledge of co-design practices and techniques to create innovative design solutions, using ethnographic research methods and co-design principles which addresses social, environmental and business concerns.
Content
In this unit, students will dive into the world of participatory design and engagement, gaining the skills and knowledge to apply participatory design methods to complex social, environmental, and business problems. Guided by a critical empowerment philosophy, the unit explores the evolution of participatory design through various design movements, emphasising the crucial concept of engagement. Students will learn to effectively engage diverse stakeholders and end-users in the design and decision-making processes, fostering the inclusion of often marginalised voices in problem-solving contexts. The unit incorporates real-world case studies to illuminate the practical application of process skills and concepts within participatory design, while introducing and critiquing models of collaboration, advocacy, power-sharing, and governance.
Within this context, the broad areas to be covered will include the following:
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Introduction to Participatory Design: Understanding the historical development and fundamental principles of participatory design. Exploring how it has evolved as a practice and paradigm.
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Inclusivity and Accessibility as Core Values: Emphasising the importance of inclusivity and accessibility as foundational values in participatory design. Examining the ethical and practical aspects of incorporating diverse voices and perspectives.
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User-Centred Research and Ethnography: Learning the art of user-centred research and ethnographic methods for understanding the needs, behaviours, and perspectives of stakeholders and end-users.
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Developing skills in facilitating co-design workshops and ideation sessions: Fostering a collaborative environment that encourages active participation.
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Feedback and Implementation: Learning how to gather, analyse, and apply feedback from stakeholders and users. Understanding the process of implementing participatory design solutions effectively.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn through a studio-based approach, immersing you in an authentic learning environment. This approach is designed to simulate real-world experiences, enabling you to develop a comprehensive understanding of participatory design and engagement. By engaging in active learning and research, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to practical, industry-relevant scenarios. The primary learning pedagogy for this unit consists of studios. During these sessions, you will engage in discussions, apply your learning to real world scenarios and collaborate on examples of participatory design activities. These activities will provide you with valuable insights and practical experiences that directly apply to the assessments.
Key Expectations:
- Actively participate in studio activities and discussions in person and online via QUT Canvas.
- Engage in critical reflection and ethical research processes
This studio-based approach, in alignment with the overarching digital strategy of the course, offers a unique opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning. It is through this approach that you will develop the essential skills and capabilities required to excel in the field of participatory design and engagement.
Some of the material you will need and details about the tasks that you will undertake will be found on the DYN901 Canvas site. You will need to regularly connect with this site to be kept informed of latest news and of weekly requirements of the unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
In this unit, you will receive feedback through a collaborative studio environment where you will engage with your peers and teaching team. The studio sessions provide a platform for sharing and discussing your project ideas and understanding of participatory design in a real-world context. This collaborative feedback approach fosters a sense of community within your studio group and encourages the exchange of emerging ideas in the field of participatory design and engagement.
A significant component of your feedback process will occur during research into and production of a proposed real-world participatory design project . This project entails researching, co-designing solutions, and presenting a final design proposal. Throughout this process, you will receive constructive feedback, which will be an essential part of your learning journey. The feedback you obtain will be directly linked to the assessment criteria and standards, which will be clearly outlined at the beginning of the semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will engage in two assessment tasks designed to evaluate your understanding and application of participatory design and engagement principles. These assessments are intricately linked to the unit's learning outcomes and aim to measure your ability to apply the acquired knowledge in real-world scenarios.
The formative activities within the unit, including studio sessions, discussions, and collaborative work with peers, prepare you for the summative assessments. These activities provide a foundation for the development of skills and knowledge essential for a comprehensive understanding of participatory design and engagement. You will receive feedback during studio sessions and interactions with peers and the teaching team, helping you to refine your approach and capabilities.
Successful completion of these assessments will demonstrate your proficiency in applying participatory design and engagement principles to real-world scenarios, aligning with the unit's learning outcomes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Individual Portfolio
Based on in class (individual and group activities) context review, and industry focused research, you will create a portfolio which contains a collection of mini-reports that outline the application of specific project methods to a design problem.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Participatory Project Proposal
Devise a participatory design response for a specific problem and participant cohort. This should cover:
- Analysis of the issues and background, project / participant context, stakeholder maps and visualisations of the ecosystem etc.
- Detailed considerations of collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment throughout the design process
- Critical Project Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
You will be provided with a number of required readings that will be accessible via the Canvas site and/or the QUT Library. You will also have access to a range of software applications and online tools and platforms.
The unit Canvas site will provide a central repository for digital resources as well as documentation on unit housekeeping. You are expected to both review the unit Canvas site and check your QUT student email account at least daily.
Risk Assessment Statement
All commencing CIESJ students are required to complete the mandatory CIESJ Student HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Inductions.
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the learning and teaching activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BV99 Bachelor of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: Participatory Project Proposal - Demonstrate knowledge as it relates to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design.
Relates to: ULO1, Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Apply innovative practices to plan, manage and contribute to Strategic Design projects in a way that connects stakeholder requirements with real world outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal
DE77 Graduate Certificate in Strategic Design
- Demonstrate knowledge as it relates to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design.
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Apply innovative practices to plan, manage and contribute to Strategic Design projects in a way that connects stakeholder requirements with real-world outcomes.
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making in individual and collaborative modes.
Relates to: Participatory Project Proposal
DE88 Graduate Diploma in Strategic Design
- Demonstrate knowledge as it relates to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design.
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Apply innovative practices to plan, manage and contribute to Strategic Design projects in a way that connects stakeholder requirements with real-world outcomes.
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making in individual and collaborative modes.
Relates to: Participatory Project Proposal
DE99 Master of Design (Strategic Design)
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and holistic knowledge as it relate to contemporary issues, challenges and opportunities in Strategic Design
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Apply innovative, systematic practices and approaches to plan, lead, deliver and manage Strategic Design projects in a way that connects multi-stakeholder requirements with real-world outcomes
Relates to: Individual Portfolio, Participatory Project Proposal - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible judgement and decision making, recognising the importance of personal accountability, acumen and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
Relates to: Participatory Project Proposal - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research project, cultivating and communicating designerly thinking
Relates to: Individual Portfolio