Design research – Its 50-year transformation.

Over the past half century, how we conceive of design research has changed significantly, as indeed have the boundaries of influence of the design profession. This paper takes an entirely personal perspective of the author and will discuss the change in the nature of design research through the lens of a career in design education and, especially, in the author's endeavours to develop design research as a respected discipline working with and alongside, science, social sciences and the arts and humanities. It will look at the social, economic and political drivers that have influenced design research in the UK but also globally, and at where this has taken design, in terms of research both within and beyond the design profession. • Traces developmental moves in design research. • Design research has moved from process and methods to systems and services. • Design research has moved from disciplines to challenges. • Design research can help us address complex global and local challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]