Co Creation Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

To cite: Pachocka Marta, Proczek Magdalena, Osuch-Rak Ewa, Design thinking as a framework for identifying, examining, and addressing wicked problems and challenges related to migration, in: Right to the City, Performing Arts and Migration, eds. R. Paltrinieri, P. Parmiggiani, P. Musarò, M. Moralli, Franco Angeli, Milan 2020, pp. 142-158
Recent decades have seen the emergence of social and public policy problems and challenges characterised by a high degree of complexity and interdisciplinarity, difficulty in finding solutions, and limitations in the objective assessment of the solutions adopted. Several of these challenges can be classified as so-called wicked problems, which are difficult to define in an unambiguous way, do not have a single solution, and require the involvement of many stakeholders. To solve such problems, a constructivist approach closely related to the application of theoretical knowledge in practice may be used, as it recommends dealing with issues related to everyday life, treated holistically, taking into account the initial pool of knowledge and experience of the actors involved. In this regard, constructivism can be practised using the design thinking (DT) method, which is human- and user-oriented throughout the entire design process. DT can serve as a useful framework to identify, address, and attempt to solve a variety of problems, in particular the already mentioned wicked kind. Contemporary migration and refugee challenges, such as those related to the integration of immigrants, can be included in this group. The aim of this chapter is to examine DT as a useful framework to identify, study, and address selected challenges related to migration, considered wicked problems, by involving diverse stakeholders such as intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities and decision-makers, as well as students and academics from various disciplines (and countries). This paper is composed of three main sections. First, we briefly explore the concept of DT; second, we elaborate on wicked problems; third, we provide and discuss the application of DT in identifying, analysing, and addressing wicked problems in the field of migration and refugee studies using selected examples. In this regard, we show the importance of the art-/design-based research and collaborative work in studying important social challenges, including those related to migration.