RESEARCH

The d-school team is in the process of designing and planning research projects based on the development of the d-school programmes, and in response to the needs of users in local contexts. The team will play a central role in articulating and developing research themes. The process of developing case studies and contributing articles to the HPI’s ThisIsDesignThinking.net, is underway. This blog is the result of a Hasso Plattner Design Thinking Research Program project.

METHODOLOGY

The Cape Town d-school's research methodology is a blended one that
incorporates evidence-based and action research.

More on this will be shared as we finalise our early-stage research methodology.

OUR PARTNERS

The Hasso Plattner Institute

The Hasso Plattner Institute is a key partner in the design and development of the Cape Town d-school’s research in design thinking process. They have established research processes that are specific to the HPI design thinking research at the d-schools at Potsdam University and Stanford University.

UCT - The University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town is the key academic partner for the d-school’s presence in Cape Town. The UCT d-school curriculum committee are constituted of important stakeholders for the academic validation of the d-school programme at UCT and its contribution to a growing body of design
thinking research.

In addition UCT faculties

– which include Commerce, Education, Engineering and Built Environment, Humanities, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Law and Science – represent the range of disciplines that is key for the transdisciplinary work that underpins design thinking practice; and therefore the d-school’s research component.

The d-school is also discussing and planning research collaborations with institutions and foundations working on South African and regional programmes.

COLLABORATION

The d-school also works collaboratively and in strategic partnerships with a range of organisations and institutions in the innovation eco-system in Africa to develop and strengthen capacity in human-centred problem solving in complex contexts