Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Potential Of Dramatherapy In Designers’ Education, Erik Ciravegna, Glenda Pagnocelli, Elisa Vacondio

Learn X Design Conference Series

In recent decades, design has transformed from a craft activity based mainly on manual skills and aesthetics to a strategic discipline that requires a systemic and multidisciplinary vision. Today’s designers need to cultivate soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration alongside traditional technical competencies. Dramatherapy, being an experiential, emotionally expressive, and conscious approach, proves to be a useful tool for acquiring these soft skills. Theatrical games, improvisation, storytelling, and dramatization techniques, such as role-playing and staging metaphors, enable design students to see different perspectives, participate in complex situations, and experience innovative ways of interaction. This contribution offers …

Designing Design Energetics, Bruce Tharp

Learn X Design Conference Series

This letter is a call to those interested in the future of design and design education, and open to challenging the dominant materialist/physicalist paradigm. With advancements in quantum science, plasma physics, and wave mechanics, new understandings and models have arisen that offer professional and academic opportunities. Design, especially of physical, three-dimensional artifacts, sees objects as essentially vehicles for valuable subjective experience. What are the implications of acknowledging that all matter is actually congealed energy, and that all people are composed of, surrounded by, and affected by frequencies? How might designers better understand and address positive resonances and negative dissonances within …

Exploring Cultural Frames And The Visual Language Of Rituals, Amrita Datta, Amy Fortunato

Learn X Design Conference Series

In Visual Communication Design, significant emphasis on intercultural communication has aided the development of intercultural competence. This case study investigates how design education can develop cross-cultural awareness by focusing on how cultural frames evolve through experiences and societal perception while becoming increasingly layered and complex. To fully extricate oneself from one's cultural context is challenging, but raising awareness of its limitations and subtleties is achievable. Recognizing diverse cultural frames can broaden one's perspective, leading to a more nuanced understanding of both the articulation and consumption of messaging in visual communication. Two educators located in different socio-political contexts in the United …

From Portfolio To Prototype: Tinkering Workshops In Design Education, Dajana Nedic, Rachael Paine

Learn X Design Conference Series

In contemporary graphic design education, there is a significant need for hands-on exploration that bridges traditional design tools with emerging technologies. This exploration affords students with opportunities to engage in tinkering—a process of iterative, playful experimentation that fosters innovation and adaptability. As Cezzar (2020) explains, by critically reflecting on material opportunities and limitations through questioning tools, materials, and processes, students gain more knowledge and clarity when creating physical and digital tools. We sought to address this opportunity by developing a technology-focused tinkering workshop at University A (name of University masked for blind review). This workshop invited students to examine the …

From Awareness To Action: Embracing Sustainability Topics – An Interview Study About Sustainability Topics With Graphic Design Stakeholders, Fengjin Yu

Learn X Design Conference Series

Graphic design has the potential to integrate the topic of sustainability due to its interdisciplinary and systemic nature. However, few studies have explored the current situation of sustainability topics within the graphic design field. Through semi-structured interviews, this study explores the current state of sustainability topics in graphic design within Higher Education (HE) settings to explore the possibilities of graphic design on sustainability. This study involved 16 HE graphic design stakeholders in the UK. Findings highlighted the dilemmas and challenges stakeholders encounter when teaching, practising and researching sustainability topics, and identified potential solutions to address these dilemmas. Results show that …

Sustainable Design Competences In Action: Bridging Educational And Professional Practices, Iryna Kucher, Karen Marie Hasling, Ulla Ræbild

Learn X Design Conference Series

Due to increasing ecological, social, and economic challenges, sustainability has transitioned from being a peripheral concern to a central tenet of international frameworks and policies, which underscore the need to equip the workforce with competences, necessary to integrate sustainable practices into the organisational operations, products, and services. At the heart of these efforts lies a pressing need to reconsider educational practices and reimagine how students can acquire sustainability competences, which can better prepare them for evolving labour markets. Despite an abundance of research on the topic, there is no consensus regarding what these competences are. Moreover, the majority of the …

Learning From The David Collection, Else Skjold

Learn X Design Conference Series

This paper elaborates on a 2nd semester project at the MA [x] in Fashion and Textiles, that is conducted in collaboration with the David Collection Museum in Copenhagen. It will showcase three student projects and how the students individually work with various implications of cultural heritage and cultural appropriation in design. As the MA is born out of the user-led, situated and contextual principles of so-called wardrobe research, it will be highlighted how this lens can help offer pathways for engaging with museum objects that hold deep levels of cultural heritage. Especially, how ‘learning with history’ with a student mix …

Permaculture Of Game Development Education: The Intertwined Nature Of Games Research And Game Design Practice, Asli Tece Bayrak, Sofia Piven

Learn X Design Conference Series

Game development is an interdisciplinary collaborative process which involves programming, art, and design expertise. A game development education, therefore, builds upon the already unique challenges of learning game programming and game art, while acknowledging that successful video game development relies on designing and producing compelling player experiences. Given this complexity, to date there is not a standardized approach to building game development curriculum. Recent curriculum overviews reflect a large degree of variation in foci - technical degrees focusing on courses such as mathematics, physics, programming, graphics or art degrees focusing on courses such as 2D or 3D art, animation, world …

Understanding & Application Of Rigor In Qualitative Design Research, Andrew Russell, Zach Pino

Learn X Design Conference Series

A lack of rigor is an existential issue for the field of qualitative design research. Rigor is essential to research of any kind being seen as reputable, but a dearth of applied means creates less-than-rigorous research. There is increased risk when acting upon less-than-rigorous research. Qualitative design researchers are quick to speak of the importance of rigor in their field, but the literature shows few speak to its application when designing its methodology. This study aims to understand how rigor is defined and applied in qualitative design research. We conducted a controlled study, consisting of an interview and survey, with …

Algorithmic-Narrative Machine. Micro-History Of A Dialogic-Constructionist Design Lab, Francesco Monterosso

Learn X Design Conference Series

This contribution explores the interplay between design culture and constructionist pedagogy, highlighting how practices based on making, tinkering, and learning by doing can foster creative, collaborative, reflective, and critical learning in increasingly interconnected educational contexts. Following in the footsteps of the work and research carried out by Papert, Stager, and other scholars, it emphasizes the necessity of an inclusive, transdisciplinary approach in line with the challenges posed by the future of design education. After a brief theoretical overview—citing “designerly ways of knowing” and underscoring the importance of a dialogic, project-based epistemology—the paper presents an educational-design experience developed within the Inter/Abit/Azione …

Community Partner Perceptions About Community Engagement Experiences For Nursing Students, Judith E. Wattman, Marjorie A. Schaffer, Maureen J. Juarez, Leanne L. Rogstad, Timothy Bredow, Sara E. Traylor

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study explored community agency staff perceptions about community engagement learning experiences for nursing students. Focus groups with staff from eleven health-related community organizations revealed seven themes that will contribute to effective curriculum development and implementation for community engagement: (a) agency expectations for students, (b) orientation, (c) schedule of student experiences, (d) invested student participation, (e) student match with agencies, (f) projects envisioned, and (g) effective interactions with the population. Practice implications for developing community engagement learning experiences are suggested.

Evaluating The Impact Of Seed Money Grants In Stimulating Growth Of Community-Based Research And Service-Learning At A Major Public Research University, Judith A. Jetson, Mary E. Evans, Wendy Hathaway

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

At a major research university, community engagement must intersect with research productivity and attract external funding to be well-regarded. At USF, community engagement increased its value to the institution by using seed grants for community-based research and service-learning projects. Between 1998 and 2006, 132 projects received $1.65 million in seed money from general revenue and local government funds, bringing over $9 million in grants to USF, a return on investment of approximately 6-to-1.

Exclusion From The Good Life: The Impact Of Anti-Asian Racism On Asian Nebraskans, Heather Fryer, Sharon Ishii-Jordan

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

To understand how Americans of Asian descent experienced, adjusted, and overcame negative experiences in Nebraska, recognizing the external forces on their lives is paramount. The experiences of Asians in their diaspora across the U.S. and Nebraska during a 150-year span have been shaped by both external (global and domestic) and internal (personality and resilience) factors. The presence of stereotypes specifically targeted toward Asian Americans due to exotic imaginings, pseudoscience, and economic fears, in addition to the images created by national media, gave rise to society’s acceptance of stereotypes. These external factors contributed to a belief that continues to this day …

Call For Papers For The Journal Of Social Encounters’ Special Issue

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Darfur And Sudan Recommended Webinars

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Escalation Pathways To The April War And The Dynamics Of Sudan's Political Economy, Salih Mustafa, Osama Hassan, Nagi Alassam

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper analyzes the escalation processes that led to the outbreak of the April 2023 war in Sudan, based on Wolfram Lacher's theoretical framework of "escalation processes". The paper focuses on tracing the escalatory trajectories that preceded the war, analyzing the complex interplay between structural, political, and economic factors, as well as the impact of the political economy on the dynamics of the conflict and its escalation to full-scale war.

The Sudanese Identity In The Mirror Of Colonial And Post-Independence History, Abdalla Galaleldeen

The Journal of Social Encounters

After independence, Sudan’s political elite adopted colonial-inspired policies that sought to divide the country into North and South (Arabs versus Africans). This policy was further reinforced by the civil wars and by the failures of the Sudanese political elite to construct a cohesive national identity. In the post-independence period, one elite group aligned itself with an Arab identity, while another embraced an African identity. Logically, therefore, both identities—Islamic-Arab and African—encompass the majority of the population. Yet, while Islamists and Africanists each claimed to represent this majority, neither addressed the contradictions inherent in their positions. As the tension between the Islamic-Arab …

The Conflict In Sudan: An Overview, Mad Gabriel

The Journal of Social Encounters

It has been more than two years since the war erupted in Sudan. Although the crisis initially started between two warring parties, it has expanded beyond the two with the involvement of multiple actors. However, the current conflict is complicated and has deep historical origins. It increased after the 2019 revolution, with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) battling for power and control. On the other hand, the situation has deteriorated dramatically, as the economy suffered from the continuation of the war, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, Health systems have crumbled, schooling has …

Sudan: A War Of Atrocities Report Of The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission For The Sudan, - Annual Report Of The United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights And Reports Of The Office Of The High Commissioner And The Secretary-General

The Journal of Social Encounters

This report documents attacks on civilians and objects essential for their survival in Sudan. It concludes that both parties to the conflict violated international human rights and humanitarian law, with most violations amounting to war crimes. The Rapid Support Forces’ conduct may also constitute crimes against humanity, including persecution and extermination. The report calls for accountability and sets out a roadmap for justice.

Introduction: Continuing The Exploration Of The Darfur And Sudan Crisis, Mawa Mohamed, Ron Pagnucco

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

The Late Father Rev. John Anthony Kaiser: “A Case For Justice”, Mbuthi Gathenji

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Engaging The Somali Diaspora: A Case Study Of One Agency’S Community Programming Approach, Farhia Abdi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This case study investigates how a local community agency engages with the Somali diaspora to design and implement culturally responsive services, such as the Settlement and Integration Program. It also explores the potential of fostering meaningful dialogue with community members to inform the development of culturally sensitive programming. The research question guiding this study was developed by findings from previous research, which highlighted the significance of community engagement, sustained dialogue, and the necessity for agencies to design clearly defined programs. These programs should prioritize active participation from community members in both the creation and implementation of tailored initiatives.

Hezbollah's Military Setback: From Strategic Strength To Political Dilemma—A Comprehensive Analysis, Habib Albadawi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This study examines the unprecedented military transformation of Hezbollah from 2024 to 2025, analyzing how technological superiority and strategic constraints have fundamentally altered the effectiveness of irregular warfare organizations. Through extensive analysis of organizational adaptation, technological disruption, and external dependencies, this research investigates the paradox of how advanced military capabilities, when constrained by external dependencies, can become operational liabilities rather than strategic assets. The study employs multiple theoretical frameworks to understand this transformation and its implications for future irregular warfare.

Dalit Poetry On The Eve Of Indian Independence: Gurram Jashuva And The Quest For Critical Consciousness And Collective Remembering, Chris Conway

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Dalit Literary movement irrupted on the scene in the early 1970s in the state of Maharashtra, India. Unblinking in its criticism of casteism and unnerving in its depiction of Dalit oppression, the movement sought to concretize the political aims of B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) through cultivating a critical Dalit consciousness liberated from caste identity and history. The movement enjoyed success in uniting Dalit groups across the country under this new name. However, fifty years later a new generation of Dalit and Dalit-supporting thinkers have begun to critically examine the implications of Dalit identity focusing particularly on its rootedness in suffering …

Early Detection Of Congenital Heart Disease: From Heart To Sole, Tami L. Jakubowski, Simranjot Mann, Emma Cartnick, Sarah Curtis, Carole Kenner, Marina Boykova

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Introduction: "From Heart to Sole” is a study exploring a non-invasive, low cost screening method for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: This pilot study explores identification of a specific crease on the sole of the foot as a marker for early detection of CHD in newborns. A Qualitrics survey was developed and distributed on social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) and the Adult Congenital Heart Association “Studies Recruiting Subjects” webpage. Participants were queried whether they have been diagnosed with a CHD and what type, whether they have the specific crease on either foot, and about the presence other health issues …

The Need For Alternative Pedagogies, Mercia Santana Flannery, Oseas Bezerra Viana Júnior (Universidade Federal Do Agreste De Pernmabuco, Brazil), Kleber Aparecido Da Silva (Universidade De Brasília, Brazil)

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Our ever-evolving societies have faced a myriad of changes in a relatively short span of time. From a heavy focus on globalization to its undesired effects in education across the Global South, from migratory movements, shifting political and ideological landscapes to technological innovations, the impacts on how our students learn and engage with the world has also been in flux. Considering these complexities, this chapter highlights the urgent need for alternative practices and perspectives in language education, and for adaptation in light of the context specific contingencies that teachers and learners face.

Associations Among Trauma Exposures, Workplace Factors, And Distress Responses In Archivists, Cheryl Regehr, Wendy Duff, Rachael Lefebvre

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

A growing body of research addresses the emotional impact on archivists from working directly with materials that contain depictions of human suffering and from working with researchers and donors whose own lives are depicted in the records. This study sought to determine the impact of exposures to potentially traumatizing events and ongoing work stressors on symptoms of post-traumatic stress and burnout in archivists, as well as whether organizational factors, including trauma-informed practices, are associated with levels of post-traumatic stress and burnout. Seventy-seven archivists participated in a web-based survey. Findings reveal moderate to strong associations between a variety of potentially distressing …

Representations Of The Other In The Novel Jurma Al Turjuman By Mohammed Hassan Alwan; A Semiotic Cultural Reading, Nasser Fuhaid Suliman Almejmaj

UB Journal for Humanities

Despite the theme of “Self and the Other” being one of the most extensively explored in theoretical and applied studies within the fields of philosophy, literature, sociology, ethnology, and anthropology, it arguably remains among the themes most in need of further research. This necessity arises from its intrinsic connection to the essence of human existence and the self’s endeavor to realize itself—sometimes in confrontation with the self, and more often in confrontation with the Other in its diverse and multifaceted manifestations. This need becomes particularly pronounced in eras marked by intensified conflict between the Arab-Islamic self and the Western-Christian Other, …

Community Defining Archives: A Comparative View Of Community Archives Definitions, Britney Bibeault

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Defining community archives has been described as difficult in academic literature because of the wide range of activities the organizations do and who they represent, leading to a lack of an agreed-upon definition in the field. Until now, a comparison between how community archivists describe themselves and academic definitions of community archiving has not been undertaken. This paper explores the definitions of community archives given by practitioners in their digital community archives and compares them with academic literature. Using both qualitative thematic coding and quantitative word frequency counts, this study found Flinn (2007) and Flinn et al. (2009) definitions are …

Entrepreneurial Identity And Small Business Performance In An Emerging Nation: The Role Of Effectuation In South Africa, Justice Muchineripi, Willie Chinyamurindi

Arab Economic and Business Journal

This study explores the link between entrepreneurial identity and subjective business performance in South African small businesses, focusing on the mediating role of effectuation. Using data from 380 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the Eastern Cape, the study responds to calls for research that integrates individual and contextual factors in entrepreneurship. Findings which emerged in the study showed that social identity was not significantly linked to subjective performance, spiritual and business identity positively predict positive subjective performance. There was no evidence of effectuation mediation on entrepreneur identity and subjective performance. The research underscores the importance of understanding identity’s …