Join Design Hopes for this panel event and debrief session to unpack (and repack) key Design Research Society 2026 conference themes and questions…

Panel Event

After a week of presentations, workshops, and panels at DRS26, this debrief session will unpack (and repack) key themes and questions…

How do we value (and make best use of) design-led research? In a field noted for its pluralistic approaches, how can we articulate and mobilise the potential and value of this diverse form of practice? What gets lost in translation between design, academia and civic society? In a world that is ‘unthinkable’, how can design-led research help us locate a more hopeful future?

Doors at 10:30am, light refreshments provided, with chances to mingle before and after the event. Part of DRS26 Fringe.

Part 1:

Panel including;

Dr Maria Maclennan, (Edinburgh College of Art)
Dr Silke Hofmann, (Inclusive Clothing Design Practitioner and Researcher)
Dr Iohanna Nicenboim, (IT:U Linz)
Dr Cristina Zaga, (Tu Twente)
Mafalda Gamboa, (Chalmers University of Technology Gothenburg)
Prof Paul Coulton, (Lancaster University)
Prof Dan Lockton, (Norwich University of the Arts)
Prof John Vines, (University of Edinburgh)
Lewis Just, (Andthen)
Helen Milne (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Joanna Boehnert (Bath Spa University)

Hosted by;

Prof Steve Cross
Prof Steve Cross is a research communication consultant and comedian. He used to have real jobs at Wellcome, Nesta and UCL before becoming freelance to support experts of all kinds to communicate their ideas better. Steve works in academia, charities, cultural organisations and corporates to help smart folk to get their knowledge out into the world more effectively. Steve is an Honorary Professor in Practice at UCL, a Wellcome Engagement Fellow, and the founder of Science Showoff, where scientists make jokes about their work on stage. Find Steve every week using academic philosophy to answer kids’ questions on his podcast, Philosophy Playdate or book him at http://drstevecross.com

Part 2:

A facilitated open-mic open forum – bring and share your views on these topics and more!search Society’s 2026 conference Fringe Friday on the 12th June, the Institute for Design Informatics is opening the doors to Inspace for a one-day pop-up showcase of our research exploring the future of design and its implications on society and the world.

The Institute for Design Informatics brings design and data together to create a world that is socially just, where people live well, have agency and autonomy, and are able to adapt and transition how they live to ensure the planet flourishes.

The theme for our pop-up showcase is fab* – fab* speaks to the ways our research seeks to fabricate, fabulate and we’re aiming to make visible the fabric of our work and the connections between us all. There will be over 30 projects on show from our institute’s members – from emergent works-in-progress to situated experiences and polished demos from larger projects.

fab* will be open for drop-ins from 0930 until the end of the day, and there is no need to register. However, we will also be hosting a reception-lunch with food and drink at 1300 – and to help with numbers we’re asking you to register if you would like to attend.

You do not need to be registered for the main DRS 2026 to attend this – it is free and open to all.

See you on the 12th June!

Date: Fri 12 Jun, 2026
Times: 11:00-13:00 (2hrs) | Free/Ticketed 
Location: Inspace, 1 Crichton St, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB
Audience: General public
Venue Access features: Accessible toilets, Assistance dogs welcome, Baby changing facilities, Seating, Step-free access, Wheelchair accessible

This event has limited capacity and so registration is required. If you have any enquiries about the events and venues, please contact event organisers at designinformatics@ed.ac.uk

Please note this event will be recorded and photographed by Design Informatics and Design Hopes – Video and Photographs will be used for future marketing, promotional, reporting and archival purposes. If you would prefer not to be filmed or photographed, please let us know at the event.

Data Protection Statement

How we use and store your data – In providing this information, you are giving explicit consent for us to use your data in our programme and event monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes. The data is managed confidentially. Your data will be collected and held by the Institute for Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh (who operate Inspace), it will also be shared with event partners and organisations for this event. Your data will only be reported or published in anonymous aggregated forms and will always be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and therefore also in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Data retention period – We will hold this information for a maximum period of 5 years from the date of the event, after which it will be disposed of. Please read the University’s privacy and Data Protection notice (https://data-protection.ed.ac.uk/notice) for further information.
Opt out – If you do not wish to share your information, or would like to modify your consent to collection and processing of personal information, please email us at: designinformatics@ed.ac.uk

If you have any enquiries about Inspace programming and the venue, please contact us at designinformatics@ed.ac.uk.