Call for Expressions of Interest to Host DRS2022
The Design Research Society welcomes expressions of interest to host the 2022 International Design Research Society Conference. The DRS Biennial Conference is a major international event in the global design research calendar with a reputation for academic quality, provocative thinking and industry engagement. Over a 4-day period Biennial Conferences embrace refereed paper presentations, conversations, debates, a doctoral programme, labs, and workshops for over 500 participants.
As well as promoting the discipline of design research within hosting countries, holding the DRS Conference can significantly increase the international profile of the host institution.
For DRS2022 we are particularly interested in proposals with blended conference innovations that integrate online with local delegate experience to support new forms of sustainable participation.
This is a worldwide call for expressions of interest. Recent conferences have taken place in Montreal (Canada), Bangkok (Thailand), Umea (Sweden), Brighton (UK), Limerick (Ireland) with the 2020 Conference taking place in Brisbane, Australia in August. In selecting a venue for 2022, the DRS Council will be mindful of the need for a location that is accessible for our international membership. Further details of previous conferences can be found at: www.designresearchsociety.org/cpages/conferences
Expressions of Interest should be no more than 2000 words and cover the following areas:
- Overall Vision for the Conference
(including: suggested title and theme, any proposed innovations) - Host Institution
(including: evidence of institutional commitment and support, department(s) and key people involved) - Proposed Conference Venue
(including: quality and capacity of plenary and session spaces) - Features of the Location
(including: travel and accommodation, food and entertainment, cultural life) - Conference Team
(including: local chair and primary contact, experience of managing similar events, relationship with the DRS, finance and management) - Proposed dates
(our preference is for the conference to take place in late June 2022 but an exception can be made if sufficiently justified) - Financial Information
(indicative budget for 500 participants including: proposed registration fees, cost of venues, catering, events, management and personnel, website and marketing, and sponsorship)
Financial Arrangements
All DRS Conferences to date have returned a surplus. The DRS requires that conferences break even at 80% (400 participants) of minimum registration fees and that conferences are underwritten by the host institution against any loss. A fee equivalent to 7.5% of total registration fees will be charged, a proportion of which will allow the DRS to support the host institution through the conference organization.
A Memorandum of Understanding detailing key responsibilities and financial agreements will be signed by both parties prior to any award and announcement for hosting.
Application and Timeline
Interested parties should submit their Expression of Interest to the DRS Administrator (admin@designresearchsociety.org) by the deadline of 15th February 2020.
Expressions of Interest will be considered at a DRS Council meeting soon after this date. Following this meeting the leading contenders will be invited to provide more detailed information and asked to present their vision for the conference to the DRS Council meeting in April 2020. After signing a Memorandum of Agreement, the successful host will be invited to attend the 2020 conference in August and present their conference vision at the closing ceremony.
Further Details
Should you have any further questions or seek clarification on any aspect of a proposal please contact DRS Advisory Council Member, Professor Martyn Evans (martyn.evans@mmu.ac.uk), for an informal discussion. A copy of the Biennial Conference Guidelines are available on request, along with a budgeting toolkit. Further information about the Design Research Society can be found at: www.designresearchsociety.org
About the DRS
The Design Research Society is a learned society committed to promoting and developing design research. Founded in 1966, it is the longest established, multi-disciplinary worldwide society for the design research community. We draw together a community from around the world in all areas of design research.