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Writing design: A collaboration between theWrite NowCETL and The Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design

The article discusses collaborative research between a HEFCE funded CETL ‘Writing in the Disciplines’ specialist and the design historian as the “practical epistemologist” to develop ‘WID’ pedagogies for undergraduate design students. Collaboration took place through an action research project to develop inclusive design history writing pedagogies as a design education focused contribution to international, multi-disciplinary work on the theory and practice of ‘Writing in the Disciplines’ approaches (US, Australia), and ‘Academic Literacies’ (US) movements.

This collaboration developed from an understanding of the limitations of a decontextualised 'skills based' approach to teaching writing, and sought to establish discipline specific writing pedagogies through curriculum change and academic staff/ faculty development. Emphasis on the latter, it is argued, works hard to raise the academic credibility of faculty staff developing writing pedagogies and thus challenges the usual low status of educational development. Furthermore, facilitating collaboration amongst academic staff in pedagogical action research helps to embed and sustain discipline specific pedagogical innovation in the curriculum. This work also reflects on constructivist approaches to teaching and learning with a particular focus on the methods and benefits of hierarchical and dialogic collaboration between academic staff, as practical epistemologists - whether WID or design history practitioners.

This article was developed through papers presented at various international conferences:

Bhagat, D. and Peter O’Neill, (2010). Writing-in-the-Disciplines: writingdesign. Enhancing Curricula, CLTAD Conference. April. Berlin, Germany.

Bhagat, D., (2010) Research led pedagogic practice, Afterlife: Dialogues in Design symposium. June. Royal College of Art: London, Britain. (invited)

Bhagat, D., (2008). writingdesign. Writing Development in Higher Education Conference June. University of Strathclyde: Glasgow, Scotland.

Bhagat, D., (2008). Academic Collaboration: writing and design. European Writing Centers Association Conference, June. University of Education: Freiburg, Germany.

Co author Peter O'Neil who collaborated equitably, in research and writing.