Summary
For nearly two decades, these Citizen Enablers –
Professor Caroline L. Davey and Andrew B. Wootton – have spearheaded research
at the University of Salford into the role of human-centred design in tackling
complex societal challenges such as crime, insecurity and wellbeing. A video
presentation of Action Learning is shown bottom left
Major Learning point for Citizen Enablement
In this human-centred approach of these citizen focused design projects the emphasis was clearly on the human participants, the citizens and communities, within the ‘systems’ being designed. Considerable research effort was expended on gaining deep understanding of the nature of citizen’s roles; how their roles could be supported; how their needs were met; the context in which they operates. This understanding led to a major learning point for the projects and for successful and award winning solutions for projects helping citizens in real need.
The Case
Publishing widely on the use of human-centred design to address issues around social responsibility, Enablers authored a volume of the seminal Socially Responsible Design series, Design Against Crime: A human-centred approach to safety and security. Edited by Professor Rachel Cooper, this book outlines the development of Design Against Crime in the UK, and its wider impact on research, policy and practice across Europe.
So what is human centred design? A human-centred approach focuses on the human participants within a designed ‘system’. Considerable research effort is expended on gaining deep understanding of:
- The nature of people’s roles
- How people’s roles can be supported
- How people’s needs can be met
- The context in which people operate.
In all this work the human being is placed at the centre of the design research process. The aim is to enable professions such as architects, police and security staff to positively impact on the communities that they serve. In this respect, it contrasts with technology-centred design, which treats technology as a panacea.
In 2005, it was felt important to develop a leading edge industry partnership, as well as support projects of benefit to citizens and wider society. Davey and Wootton established the Design Against Crime Solution Centre — a unique research partnership with Greater Manchester Police (UK) and DSP-groep (NL). In 2014, the Solution Centre was recognised as a Research Centre within the School of Arts & Media of the University of Salford. In January 2019, the Solution Centre expanded its European activities with the signing of a formal partnership agreement with the German police — the Landeskriminalamt (LKA) in Lower Saxony. This exciting collaboration will support joint research access to European research funding.
To better engage with a wider network experts across Europe, Davey and Wootton helped develop EU COST Action TU1203 Crime Prevention through Urban Design & Planning, engaging over 50 experts from 27 EU countries to advance research and practice in design-led urban security (2012–2016) (www.costtu1203.eu). Davey also chaired the Working Group “User Requirements & Societal Expectations” of the Security & Protection Advisory Group to the EU’s Horizon2020 Research Programme.
Cutting Crime Impact
In 2018, these Enablers secured more than €3m in research funding from the European Commission for their Cutting Crime Impact (CCI) project. Working with six police forces across Europe (including the Dutch and Estonian national police forces, Lisbon Police, German police in Lower Saxony and Spanish police in Catalonia), the CCI project is researching and designing innovative ways to fight crime (see www.cuttingcrimeimpact.eu). Due to end 30 September 2021, the 36-month project involves managing a consortium of twelve partners from across Europe and has been praised by its funders for its approach, professionalism and potential impact. CCI has been selected by the European Commission and the German Presidency to exhibit at the Security Research Event in Bonn, Germany, in November 2020.
Transforming Urban Securing
In 2020 the Enablers secured more than €420k as a partner on the EU-funded IcARUS project, led by European Urban Security Forum (Efus). The consortium of 18 partners seeks to facilitate a transformation in the application and utilisation of the knowledge base through the design of urban security policies. Through a process of co-design and production, IcARUS will integrate social and technological innovations to strengthen strategic approaches to urban security. The aim is to promote a balanced vision of urban security, combining prevention, sanctions and social cohesion as mechanisms to encourage common approaches to security in the European Union.
Leading improvements in the HE sector
The Enablers are co-originators of ProtectED, a design research initiative to improve the safety, security and wellbeing of university students through raising standards across the HE sector in the UK (www.protect-ed.org). ProtectED CIC is a not-for-profit social enterprise supported by membership subscription, which funds accreditation and standards improvement. ProtectED Accreditation is designed to assess the extent to which universities provide the services and structures that enable students to avoid problems and focus on their success. The roll-out of ProtectED raises the profile of Salford as an institution committed to real-world research that engages with societal priorities.
The ProtectED Code of Practice was developed over three years by Wootton and Davey and security experts at Salford University, and K7 Compliance Ltd. It is the first guidance document to look across the student experience, providing a benchmark for universities to measure their support services and structures against — their efforts are verified by trained ProtectED assessors. A ProtectED accredited institution is a mark of excellence that will reassure prospective students of the support they can expect.
University can be an exciting and rewarding time for students, many of whom may be living independently for the first time. However, university life can be at times stressful and a source of anxiety. This can relate to all manner of factors, including problems with studies, relationship issues, financial difficulties or becoming a victim of crime. Students need support to help them deal with such problems, to ensure they gain maximum benefit from their university experience and to reduce the risk of them being unable to complete their studies.
ProtectED accreditation is designed to assess the extent to which universities provide the services and structures that enable students to avoid problems and focus on their success ProtectED is the first UK higher education accreditation scheme to look comprehensively across this broad area.
The need for ProtectED is rooted in the recognition that universities have a wider role to play in supporting the safety and wellbeing of their students — not only while they are on campus, but throughout their student experience.
The Solution Centre has accumulated awards for its design research and impact, including:
- The 2010 Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Secured by Design Innovation Prize —for pioneering work with GMP to develop Design for Security
- The 2011 Manchester Beacons for Public Engagement Recognition Award—for work with charity Catch22 on Youth Design Against Crime
- Security and Fire Excellence Award in 2019 for Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector — for ProtectED
- The 2020 OSPA (Outstanding Security Performance Award) for Outstanding Customer Service Initiative — for ProtectED
- Finalist in the 2020 PIEoneer Awards, celebrating “innovation and achievement in international student education” — for ProtectED.
The Enablers welcome opportunities for collaboration from researchers and practitioners. Their specific areas of research interest include:
- Human-centred design research – Exploring further opportunities to build networks and partnerships with organisations committed to bottom-up, human-centred approaches to tackling ‘wicked’ societal challenges. Research funding is routinely directed toward technology-focused actions. Such projects often fail to fully consider the needs of human end-users and their specific context of use. Davey and Wootton’s work demonstrates the value of human-centred research informing technology- centred objectives to supporting practical implementation — such as predictive policing and police crime incident mapping.
- Societal challenges –With a track record of research into safety and security, The Enablers are currently exploring opportunities addressing problems such as county lines crime and the role of security professionals in supporting those with mental health issues.
Davey and Wootton’s interest in the application of human-centred design approaches covers a range of societal issues—from global challenges to quality of life issues. Together with Professor James Powell, Davey worked on research projects using action learning to promote equality and support microfinance. Further opportunities to apply human-centred design approaches to other social issues would be welcomed.
- HE sector improvements –Through research and development of the ProtectED initiative (www.protect-ed.org), the Enablers have established a network of UK universities and key higher education stakeholders committed to performance improvement. Opportunities for positive transformation in the sector catalysed by the current pandemic must be grasped, with potential research areas including: the evolving role of security in promoting student mental fitness; performing security during Covid-19 restrictions; student living; and emerging crime and security issues. The work of ProtectED is of interest to universities and key HE stakeholders internationally.
Davey and Wootton believe it is critical to support the next generation of design researchers through an active doctoral programme, engagement in postgraduate education and development of Masters courses. The COST Action TU1203 developed with Davey and Wootton included a doctoral programme and they are currently supervising international doctoral research exploring, for example, how virtualisation of the product development process impacts the fashion industry. PhD inquiries and applications on relevant subjects are welcome, including: design research; socially responsible design; policing and crime prevention; safety, security and wellbeing.
Major Learning points for Citizen Enablement
In this human-centred approach of these design projects the emphasis was clearly on the human participants, within the ‘systems’ being designed. Considerable research effort was expended on gaining a deep understanding of the nature of people’s roles; how their roles could be supported; how their needs were met; the context in which they operate. Davey and Wootton work with professions that impact local citizens and wider society— from police officers, through welfare officers to security staff. This understanding of and collaboration with practitioners led to major learning points for the projects and for successful and award winning solutions to improve communities.
The Citizen Enablers
The Enablers in this portfolio of projects were Professor Caroline L. Davey and Andrew B. Wootton. In collaboration with industry partners, they conceived of the projects, developed them to fruition, undertook necessary R&D and stage managed results into the real world. The originators of projects were often industry practitioners and impact resulted from the support and commitment of key stakeholders. In Cutting Crime Impact, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are being supported in undertaking requirements capture research, framing problems, generating ideas and prototyping solutions. Tools are being developed to prevent crime, improve community policing, better use police data and tackle citizens’ feelings of insecurity,
If you are interested in research collaboration, please get in touch. Design Against Crime Solution Centre: University of Salford, UK through c.davey@salford.ac.uk and/or a.wootton@salford.ac.uk
The partners in the project shown below were also clearly Enablers in their own right:
