DS Awards

In recognition of the contributions of our members, we’re launching three new awards. These are designed to highlight excellence at different career stages, from emerging researchers to those with a long track record of significant contributions. The new awards are for: Design Research Impact on Practice Award, Design for Social Sustainability, and Early Career Research Achievements in Design Research. Calls for nominations for the three awards can be seen below, along with all the relevant details.

You can nominate DS members for these new awards via this link: Create a Nomination

Call for Nominations:
Design Research Impact on Practice Award

The Design Society invites nominations for the newly established “Design Research Impact on Practice Award”, recognising outstanding contributions to design research that have demonstrable impacts on real-world practices. This award celebrates design research that has been implemented in practice, whether in industry, studios, software applications, or other settings, and that has clearly transformed practical outcomes. It should be evident that the impact on practice is the outcome of a research process that was made visible through publications over the years.

We particularly encourage nominations for contributions that bridge the gap between research and non-academic applications.

Nomination Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Only Design Society members are eligible to nominate candidates. Nominees must have been members for at least four consecutive years and be a current member.
• Multiple Awards: Multiple awards may be granted in the same category each year; however, an individual cannot receive more than one award per cycle.
• Self-nominations: Not permitted. Independence between nominators and nominees is encouraged to ensure a diverse range of recognized contributions.

Nomination Submission Requirements:

• Nominee Information: Provide nominee(s) full name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information
• Nomination Statement: A brief statement (up to 50 words) summarizing the nominee’s achievements.
• Research and Implementation Description: A detailed description of the research content and its implementation in practice (up to 600 words, including graphics if applicable).
• Letters of Support: Include 2-4 letters supporting the nomination, documenting the research’s merit and its impact on practice.

Award Recognition:

Recipients will be awarded a certificate featuring their name(s) and the nomination statement, recognising their meaningful impact on design research practice.

We look forward to celebrating exceptional contributions that shape design research in impactful ways.

Call for Nominations:
Design for Social Sustainability Award

The Design Society invites nominations for the newly established “Design for Social Sustainability Award”, recognizing celebrating impactful contributions to design research focused on sustainable communities, equitable social development, or responsible entrepreneurship. This award particularly recognizes individuals whose work has meaningful applications within the Global South or addresses pressing social challenges relevant to their region

Nomination Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Only Design Society members are eligible to nominate candidates. Nominees must have been members for at least four consecutive years and be a current member.
• Multiple Awards: Multiple awards may be granted in the same category each year; however, an individual cannot receive more than one award per cycle.
• Self-nominations: Not permitted. Independence between nominators and nominees is encouraged to ensure a diverse range of recognized contributions.

Nomination Submission Requirements:

• Nominee Information: Provide nominee(s) full name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information
• Nomination Statement: A brief statement (up to 50 words) summarizing the nominee’s achievements.
• Research and Implementation Description: A detailed description of the research content and its implementation in practice (up to 600 words, including graphics if applicable).
• Letters of Support: Include 2-4 letters supporting the nomination, documenting the research’s merit and its impact on practice.

Award Recognition:

Recipients will be awarded a certificate featuring their name(s) and the nomination statement, recognising their meaningful impact on design research practice.

We look forward to celebrating exceptional contributions that shape design research in impactful ways.

Call for Nominations:
Early Career Research Achievements in Design Research Award

The Design Society invites nominations for the newly established “Early Career Research Achievements in Design Research Award” recognizing outstanding early-career scholars in the field of Design Research. This award honours a promising researcher whose achievements exemplify excellence in design research, evidenced by one or more of the following criteria: originality of the research topic, innovative approach, societal impact, demonstrated leadership, and potential scalability of results.

Nomination Guidelines:

• Eligibility: Only Design Society members are eligible to nominate candidates. Nominees must have been members for at least two consecutive years and be a current member.
• Multiple Awards: Multiple awards may be granted in the same category each year; however, an individual cannot receive more than one award per cycle.
• Self-nominations: Not permitted. Independence between nominators and nominees is encouraged to ensure a diverse range of recognized contributions.

Nomination Submission Requirements:

• Nominee Information: Provide nominee(s) full name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information
• Nomination Statement: A brief statement (up to 50 words) summarizing the nominee’s achievements.
• Research and Implementation Description: A detailed description of the research content and its implementation in practice (up to 600 words, including graphics if applicable).
• Letters of Support: Include 2-4 letters supporting the nomination, documenting the research’s merit and its impact on practice.

Award Recognition:

Recipients will be awarded a certificate featuring their name(s) and the nomination statement, recognising their meaningful impact on design research practice.

We look forward to celebrating exceptional contributions that shape design research in impactful ways.