Teaching value-based participatory design of complex socio-technical systems
F. Abou Eddahab-Burke (TU Delft - System Engineering)
P.H.G. van Langen (TU Delft - System Engineering)
G. Slingerland (TU Delft - Urban Studies)
F.M. Brazier (TU Delft - System Engineering)
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Abstract
The advent of complex socio-technical systems in modern society calls for teaching value-based participatory design in engineering curricula. Yet, no scientific literature supports teachers in this effort. This paper introduces a teaching approach called “value-based participatory design of complex socio-technical systems” and reports on its implementation. It emphasizes the importance of actively involving stakeholders and tapping into their values from the very start of the design process. Following this approach, students learn to (1) design with stakeholders, (2) identify key values and conflicts to create a value-based mission statement, (3) navigate uncertainties, (4) adopt an iterative design process, and (5) recognize that only stakeholders can define what works best. Results of an academic course based on this approach confirm its value and importance for engineering curricula.