Short answer
Designers should critically assess the historical and cultural context of artifacts they design or select for an environment, ensuring they align with values of inclusivity and social justice rather than perpetuating outdated or harmful ideologies.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies (2023)
- Method
- Qualitative survey and ethnographic observation
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Transforming cultural artifacts that embody colonial legacies can shift organizational culture towards greater diversity, community, and social justice. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies. Using Qualitative survey and ethnographic observation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should critically assess the historical and cultural context of artifacts they design or select for an environment, ensuring they align with values of inclusivity and social justice rather than perpetuating outdated or harmful ideologies.
Decolonizing Cultural Artifacts Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Environments
Transforming cultural artifacts that embody colonial legacies can shift organizational culture towards greater diversity, community, and social justice.
Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies · 2023
Key Findings
- 01A perception of a lack of diversity in existing cultural artifacts.
- 02A recognized need for building community among stakeholders.
- 03Existing cultural artifacts influenced individuals towards silence and individual work rather than collective action.
- 04Changing and introducing new cultural artifacts produced desired effects among stakeholders, promoting inclusivity and collaboration.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should critically assess the historical and cultural context of artifacts they design or select for an environment, ensuring they align with values of inclusivity and social justice rather than perpetuating outdated or harmful ideologies.
How to apply
When designing or curating spaces, consider the symbolic meaning of all elements, from artwork and signage to architectural styles and historical displays. Engage with diverse stakeholders to understand their perspectives on existing artifacts and co-create new ones that foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Project actions
- 01When choosing materials or forms for your design project, consider their historical and cultural associations.
- 02Think about how the aesthetic choices in your design might impact different user groups.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Combines quantitative survey data with qualitative ethnographic insights for a richer understanding.
- +Addresses a critical issue of social justice within institutional design.
Limitations
The effectiveness of decolonizing artifacts can be subjective and may vary greatly depending on the specific cultural context and the community involved.
Reliability & validity
The qualitative nature of the study provides rich insights but may be subject to researcher bias. Triangulation of data from surveys and ethnography enhances validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of ethnographic observations and survey responses.
Think critically
To what extent can the 'decolonization' of cultural artifacts truly transform deeply ingrained organizational ideologies, or does it risk superficial change?
Design Principles
"Artifacts should reflect and promote the desired values of the community they serve, actively contributing to an inclusive and equitable environment."
Designers and researchers often overlook the profound impact of the symbolic and historical context embedded within cultural artifacts. This research highlights that the design and selection of these artifacts are not neutral acts but can actively shape user behavior and organizational ethos, influencing collaboration and inclusivity.
What This Means for Your Design
The things we put on display in a place, like art or historical items, can make people feel excluded or encourage them to work alone. Changing these items to be more diverse and representative can help people feel more connected and willing to work together.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the broader impact of design choices beyond pure functionality, particularly in relation to user perception and social dynamics.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research by Jimenez‐Luque et al. (2023) demonstrates that the transformation of cultural artifacts can significantly influence organizational culture, moving it towards greater inclusivity and social justice. Their findings suggest that the design and selection of symbolic elements within an environment are not neutral but actively shape user behavior, promoting either isolation or collaboration. This highlights the importance for designers to critically evaluate the historical and ideological underpinnings of the artifacts they incorporate into their projects to ensure they foster positive and equitable user experiences.
Source
Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies
Transforming Organizational Culture and Enacting Social Justice in Praxis Through Decolonization of Cultural Artifacts at a U.S. University
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about decolonizing cultural artifacts fosters inclusive and collaborative environments?
- Designers should critically assess the historical and cultural context of artifacts they design or select for an environment, ensuring they align with values of inclusivity and social justice rather than perpetuating outdated or harmful ideologies. Evidence: Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies (2023).
- Why does "Decolonizing Cultural Artifacts Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Environments" matter for design?
- Designers and researchers often overlook the profound impact of the symbolic and historical context embedded within cultural artifacts. This research highlights that the design and selection of these artifacts are not neutral acts but can actively shape user behavior and organizational ethos, influencing collaboration and inclusivity.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should critically assess the historical and cultural context of artifacts they design or select for an environment, ensuring they align with values of inclusivity and social justice rather than perpetuating outdated or harmful ideologies.
- What were the main findings?
- A perception of a lack of diversity in existing cultural artifacts.. A recognized need for building community among stakeholders.. Existing cultural artifacts influenced individuals towards silence and individual work rather than collective action.. Changing and introducing new cultural artifacts produced desired effects among stakeholders, promoting inclusivity and collaboration.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative survey and ethnographic observation.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Higher Education Policy And Leadership Studies.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or curating spaces, consider the symbolic meaning of all elements, from artwork and signage to architectural styles and historical displays. Engage with diverse stakeholders to understand their perspectives on existing artifacts and co-create new ones that foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
- What are the limitations?
- The study was conducted at a single university, limiting generalizability to other institutions. The focus was on cultural artifacts, and other factors influencing organizational culture were not extensively explored.