Experiments and Non Traditional Research Outputs (NTRO)

Making evident the contribution, efficacy and impact of non-traditional research outputs is a challenge for a practice-based design community. The experimentation process gives a format to document, synthesise and report on work-in-progress research findings.

In turn the process builds a practice of ‘writing-up’ engagement activities and capturing insights that may illuminate how to measure impact once the NTRO is out in the world. This documentation of the experiments, outcomes and insights becomes a useful database on which research labs can reference for annual reporting on Engagement & Impact as they capture a wider base of outcomes than traditional Project Reports.

Not only does this method serve to create documentation for reporting and publishing, it also serves as a boundary artefact to engage other faculty, departments, and external practitioners, partners, and potential funders in the important research going on in the Research Labs.

Non traditional research outputs from ecological materials workshop