Call 2019
\nInitiate, sustain, expand
\nThe value of socially engaged practices in social
\nchange
\nCall for Abstracts extended: Monday 4 February 2019
\nSocially Engaged Design Conference (SED) is a two-day event that discusses how
\nresearchers and practitioners propose and implement solutions to tackle contemporary
\nsocietal issues.
\nSED 2 will explore the role of art and design in driving social change. Under the umbrella
\nthe theme of socially engaged practices through the arts and design (current and future) the
\nspeakers will present and debate their stance on political theories, democracy, the actual
\nthe impact of socially engaged practices, social cities and co-design.
\nThemes
\n01 \/ Art, Design & Politics
\n02 \/ Socially Engaged Practices & Democracy
\n03 \/ The future of Socially Engaged Practices
\n04 \/ Social cities<\/p>\n
Important dates
\nSubmission of Abstracts: 11 January 2019 4 February 2019
\nReviews to authors: 12 April 2019
\nSubmission of Workshop proposals: 3 May 2019
\nNotification to accepted Workshops: 26 July 2019
\nCamera Ready Papers: 13 September 2019
\nSubmissions are made through the EasyChair management system
\nFor more information on the conference, themes and submission guidelines please visit
\nwww.sedconference.com
\nFor any queries contact the organising committee
\nhello@sedconference.com<\/p>\n
01 \/ Art, Design & Politics
\nArt and design can be used, as political instruments in the form of activism or, as a medium
\nto discuss possible or better futures. Politics itself can also be understood as a form of
\ndesign, since it involves planning, decision- making and law-devising. What are the practices
\nand issues related to public space, democracy, equality and participation and how can
\nactivist art and design influence the fields of democracy and participation? What is the role of
\nsocially engaged practices in times of political and cultural crisis?
\n02 \/ Socially Engaged Practices & Democracy
\nSocially engaged practices encourage participation and changes within communities. Direct
\nengagement is a true democratic model of tangibility and influence that yields change where
\nit is needed most: the places where we live. What are the dynamics of socially engaged
\npractices within the current societal challenges and needs? How can we advance
\ndemocratic practice within a local level through socially engaged practices, and how, through
\nthese practices, can we affect democracy in our everyday lives? Moreover, how can socially
\nengaged practices themselves become a democratic practice when we deal with issues of
\nco-authorship and co-design?
\n03 \/ The future of Socially Engaged Practices
\nOur design choices and practices were and are reflected in our society. Altering and
\nmorphing constantly upon the needs and wants of the ever-evolving cultures we build,
\nmaintain and grow. We participate, collaborate and act. We reconsider everything in search
\nof social change. Terms such as innovation, future trends, prototyping, peer-to-peer learning
\nand user-centric thinking constitute the foundation of the vocabulary associated with
\ntransforming systems.
\nHow can we create a system that allows us to tackle the tangible problems of our society
\nbefore they become one more representation of the past? In which direction should socially
\nengaged practices expand to allow for even more meaningful and sustainable
\ntransformation? How can this field start participating in decision and policy-making at the
\nhighest political and legislative level? Where do Universities, NGOs, start-ups and innovative
\nbusinesses fit into the equation? In short, where to now for socially engaged practices?
\n04 \/ Social cities
\nThe future of our cities is at the core of discourses taking place on political, entrepreneurial,
\nlegal, academic and professional levels. Dream cities (resilient, inclusive, accessible,
\nchampioning equality, environmentally, technologically and financially sustainable) are high
\non the political agenda. Although some urbanised clusters are perceived as successful
\nsocial environments, others struggle to be friendly to their inhabitants and to offer a balanced
\nsocial experience. Within this framework, can we as socially engaged practitioners to propose
\nfresh, imaginative, financially viable and inclusive objectives and processes to truly support a
\nwholesome lifestyle and propel the quality of our livelihood? Solutions that, will include
\ncitizens in their making and, will not only allow the progression of a city (in historical,
\ninfrastructural or financial terms) but also respect the unexpected results of their originators?
\nCan we fulfil these goals and still place emphasis on small-scale change, and preserve the
\nidiosyncrasies of everyday life? Or are we at risk of weakening the distinctiveness of our
\ncities, diminishing diversity and increasing the privatisation of public space in pursuit of all of
\nthe above?<\/p>\n