Project: Investigate creative problem solving process: cross-disciplinary method diffusion.

Description: The proposed research will examine the diffusion of methods for creative problem solving in multi-disciplinary fields, such as interaction design. This subfield is the meeting point for diverse fields of knowledge where engineering, scientific and design approaches overlap, complement each other, cross-fertilize and compete. While the transfer of techniques and methods between disciplines can potentially increase creativity in support of innovation is can also be fraught with challenges. Methods applied may have diverse origins, may be shared between disciplines, or may be applied differently by individuals subscribing to different intellectual traditions. This whole phenomenon is described below as method diffusion.
A systematic investigation of the diffusion of methods aiming to support innovation can unravel how and why different methods are applied successfully or misapplied, transformed or improved when they are adopted by a different discipline and what push-back exists: adoption from a different discipline can lead to revisiting original ideas, improving them or rejecting them.  Current practice regarding method diffusion will be documented, flagging areas of opportunity and pitfalls for practitioners. A (multiple) case study approach will examine creative processes that were demonstrably successful contrasting them to cases where a large degree of interdisciplinarity and methodological innovation did not meet corresponding success. Interventions to support specific design projects will be organised. Through an action research approach, the effects of these interventions will be evaluated.

Outcomes: An analysis of current design practices characterizing pitfalls and best practice. A roadmap for method diffusion to support creativity and innovation will be proposed, and experiences from its application will be reported.

Candidates should have an interest and background in the areas of human computer interaction and interaction design. Special interest and expertise in qualitative research methods, ethnography/anthropology are a bonus.

Positions are open to candidates of any nationality, regardless of gender, race, disability, etc., with the exception that the student may not have resided in the country of the host institution for more than one year in the 3 years before appointment. For additional information on eligibility, please check Rules of mobility and conditions of nationality applicable to eligible researchers, pages 13-14.  Interested researchers that do not meet this condition are encouraged to apply to other DESIRE projects that are hosted by institutes in other countries, see http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/~corina/DESIRE/index.html.

The department of Industrial Design of the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e), founded in 2001, is a rapidly growing department with over 500 students, both Bachelor and Master, and around 150 staff members. With a strong emphasis on research the ID department focuses on the design of intelligent products, systems, services and networks. These innovative products enable people to interact with their environment in an optimal and flexible way. The TU/e ID engineer, who has developed a wide range of competencies during his/her education, is capable of integrating technology, user aspects, design and business/marketing insights. This MSc-program is practice oriented, capable to deal with and aware of relevant issues as formulated by industry and society at large. Ambient Intelligence and Ambient (health) Care draw special attention within the TU/e and ID particular, and is an important research and application field. ID encompasses four areas: Technology covered by the Designed Intelligent (DI) group, User aspects, covered by User Centered Engineering (UCE) group, Design, covered by the Designing Quality in Interaction (DQI) group, and Business, covered by the Business Process Design (BPD) group.