Reflections from the Design Research Conference 2026

The second week of June was a very dynamic and memorable time in Edinburgh for design research. From June 8 to June 12, the University of Edinburgh hosted DRS2026, the biennial conference of the Design Research Society, one of the world’s leading conferences in the field of design.

Among the participants at the conference, which hosted over 1,000 in-person attendees and more than 200 online participants, was Academy student Deniz Hepdogan from cohort 4. Deniz attended the conference with her poster titled “Listening Together Apart: Co-Creating a Shared Music Listening System to Support Identity and Relational Connection After Care Home Entry” in which she shared the background of her PhD project. She also contributed to the organisation of the conference as a student volunteer throughout the week. 

DRS2026 was certainly a great space to explore emerging research and exchange ideas. One notable insight from the conference was that the three most frequently occurring terms in the abstract submissions were “artificial intelligence”, “care” and “material”. Furthermore, there was a substantial body of research centred on older people. In align with these, the conference highlighted how design can address complex societal challenges around health and wellbeing, and can guide involving people with lived experiences in the research process in a mindful manner. Combining rigorous empirical inquiry with lived experience is indeed essential for addressing real-world challenges effectively.

DRS2026 also stood out for its highly rich and interactive programme. In addition to the wide range of paper presentations, the conference created many opportunities for participants to actively engage through PhD workshops, hands-on sessions, and open conversations. These formats encouraged mutual dialogue and critical reflection, making the conference feel collaborative rather than simply presentational. The conversations initiated in Edinburgh will undoubtedly continue long after the conference, influencing future research and strengthening the collaborations.