Design Research, Disciplines, and New Production of Knowledge

The paper discusses about the need to develop design research as a discipline. By using Gibbons et al. distinction between the traditional disciplinary Mode 1 knowledge production and emerging of Mode 2 knowledge production that takes place in the context of application it shows that design has unique characteristics that should not be given up when seeking academic acceptance. Mode 1 and Mode 2 are linked to other discussions identifying a change in relation between research and society that may benefit design research. A couple of potential existing discipline role models (IS and HCI) are examined and judged.