Short answer

Designers and institutions must actively decolonize campus narratives and spaces to create genuinely inclusive environments for Indigenous students.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago) (2018)
Method: Critical analysis and reinterpretation of existing campus tour components through an Indigenous lens.
Evidence: Strong effect

The design and presentation of university campuses, particularly through standard tours, can inadvertently reinforce racist and exclusionary values, negatively impacting the experience of Indigenous students. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago). Using Critical analysis and reinterpretation of existing campus tour components through an indigenous lens., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and institutions must actively decolonize campus narratives and spaces to create genuinely inclusive environments for Indigenous students.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Campus Design Perpetuates Hostile Environments for Indigenous Students

Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago) · 2018

Key Findings

01Standard campus tours often present an incomplete and biased history that centers oppressive values.
02The physical and informational design of campuses can create and maintain hostile climates for Indigenous students.
03Dominant narratives within campus tours can disenfranchise Indigenous students by failing to acknowledge their perspectives and experiences.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers and institutions must actively decolonize campus narratives and spaces to create genuinely inclusive environments for Indigenous students.

How to apply

When designing or evaluating campus spaces and visitor experiences, consider how historical narratives are presented and whether they acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives.

Project actions

01When researching user experiences, consider how historical context and narrative shape perceptions of a space.
02Think about how to represent diverse user groups authentically in your design proposals.

Method & Evidence

AimHow do dominant campus tour narratives and spatial design contribute to hostile environments for Indigenous students in higher education?

MethodCritical analysis and reinterpretation of existing campus tour components through an Indigenous lens.

ProcedureThe study rearticulates typical campus tour elements (history, student life, academic life, campus leadership) by applying critical Indigenous values and concepts like 'Power and Place' to expose embedded racist and genocidal values within the institutional environment.

ContextHigher education institutions, campus design, visitor experience, Indigenous student well-being.

Variables

IVDominant campus tour narratives and spatial design elements.

DVHostility of campus climate for Indigenous students.

CVSpecific historical context of the institution, dominant cultural norms within higher education.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Applies a critical Indigenous theoretical framework to analyze institutional design.
+Offers a novel approach to reinterpreting familiar campus elements.

Limitations

The specific historical and cultural context of the institution studied may not be directly transferable to all other university settings.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the critical interpretation of existing narratives and the application of established theoretical frameworks. Reliability would be enhanced by further studies across multiple institutions.

Think critically

How can designers actively work to decolonize design processes and outputs to ensure they are not perpetuating historical injustices?

Design Principles

"Design for inclusivity by critically examining and deconstructing dominant narratives and spatial representations to ensure equitable experiences for all users."

Understanding how the physical and informational design of an institution can create or mitigate hostile environments is crucial for fostering inclusivity. This research highlights the need for designers and institutions to critically examine the narratives and physical spaces they present to ensure they are welcoming and equitable for all user groups.

What This Means for Your Design

The way universities show off their campuses can make Indigenous students feel unwelcome because the stories told and the spaces shown often ignore or disrespect their history and culture.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the need for user research that specifically addresses the experiences of underrepresented groups.
2.Cite this study when discussing the ethical considerations of design and the impact of narrative on user perception.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights how the design and narrative presentation of institutional spaces, such as university campuses, can inadvertently create hostile environments for marginalized groups. By critically analyzing dominant tour components through an Indigenous lens, the study reveals how incomplete historical narratives and spatial design choices can disenfranchise Indigenous students, underscoring the need for inclusive design practices that acknowledge and respect diverse perspectives.

Source

Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago)

Colonized and Racist Indigenous Campus Tour

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about campus design perpetuates hostile environments for indigenous students?: Designers and institutions must actively decolonize campus narratives and spaces to create genuinely inclusive environments for Indigenous students. Evidence: Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago) (2018).
Why does "Campus Design Perpetuates Hostile Environments for Indigenous Students" matter for design?: Understanding how the physical and informational design of an institution can create or mitigate hostile environments is crucial for fostering inclusivity. This research highlights the need for designers and institutions to critically examine the narratives and physical spaces they present to ensure they are welcoming and equitable for all user groups.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and institutions must actively decolonize campus narratives and spaces to create genuinely inclusive environments for Indigenous students.
What were the main findings?: Standard campus tours often present an incomplete and biased history that centers oppressive values.. The physical and informational design of campuses can create and maintain hostile climates for Indigenous students.. Dominant narratives within campus tours can disenfranchise Indigenous students by failing to acknowledge their perspectives and experiences.
What research method was used?: Critical analysis and reinterpretation of existing campus tour components through an Indigenous lens..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Loyola eCommons (Loyola University Chicago).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or evaluating campus spaces and visitor experiences, consider how historical narratives are presented and whether they acknowledge and respect Indigenous perspectives.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on a virtual tour and may not fully capture the lived experience of all Indigenous students across diverse institutions.