Abstract 1

Crafters, explorers, innovators, and co-creators: Narratives in designers’ identity

work

The role of designers is changing in many organizations, yet we know little of how
designers themselves construct their professional identities. Based on 38 interviews of
designers working in a design agency, we use Bakhtinian literary genres and
chronotopes as a lens to identify four embedded narrative types. These highlight
different aspects of designers’ work, including different constructions of design –
ranging from craftmanship and exploration to innovations and co-creation. Novelty,
learning and community emerged as fundamental constructs within designer identity.
Furthermore, identity work in each narrative was connected to different types of
triggering situations and contextual promoters. The analysis illuminates the
multifaceted and situated nature of professional identity work, emphasizing the need to
examine design embedded in its context. (119 words).

Bjorklund, T., Keipi, T., and Maula, H. 2020. Crafters, explorers, innovators, and co-
creators: Narratives in designers’ identity work. Design Studies. 68 (1). pp. 82-112.
Abstract 2

Belonging and engaging for successful transition to university

Sense of belonging and engagement with their learning community are crucial for
student retention and success (Thomas 2012, Hausmann et al 2007) and with a
significant proportion of teaching still delivered remotely this is one the biggest
challenges we face in supporting our students. And with ever greater emphasis on
widening participation and reducing awarding gaps, it is fundamental that we
understand the factors which affect these aspects. This project (funded by a LITE
fellowship) is investigating students’ sense of belonging, engagement and success
across 7 Schools (spanning 5 faculties) at Leeds. 1st year students were surveyed at
key points in the academic year (Intro week, Christmas and Easter) to provide a
longitudinal study, yielding both quantitative and qualitative data. Key factors emerging
show that sense of belonging depends strongly on students’ background and entry
route into university, possibly explained by limitations in social and cultural capital, and
these aspects have been further investigated to suggest ways in which students’ needs
can be mitigated through induction and teaching activities. (168 words).

Voice, A., and Purdy, R. 2022. Belonging and engaging for successful transition to
university. Student Education Conference: Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence, 6
January, University of Leeds.
Abstract 3:

The Perceptions of Apparel Design and Merchandising Students on Creativity

and Apparel Design Copyright

The purpose of this study was to explore design and merchandising students’
perception of creativity and the copyright protection of apparel design. A survey with
open-ended questions was developed and distributed to a total of 100 fashion major
students with specializations in apparel design and merchandising from three different
universities located in a northwestern state of the United States. A majority of
respondents showed their awareness that copying apparel design is ethically wrong
and counterfeiting is legally wrong. They were able to distinguish between copying and
interpreting and were aware that incorporating limited elements from inspirations was
ethically acceptable. However, many of the students look for design inspiration from
secondary sources, such as existing designers’ works which they observed over the
internet, magazines, fashion shows, and store shopping, which may pose them to the
temptation to copy such ideas. Although fashion copyright protection law has yet to
become enacted, a majority of respondents support passage of fashion copyright
protection law. The results give support to the needs for addressing the creative
problem-solving processes and ethical decision-making jointly within apparel design
and merchandising curriculum. (184 words)

Salusson, C. J., Lee, J, Lee, Y. and Lin, J. K. 2016. The Perceptions of Apparel Design
and Merchandising Students on Creativity and Apparel Design Copyright. International
Journal of Costume and Fashion. 16 (1). pp.1-16.