Radical Methodologies Research Group

In collaboration with collegues Ben Sweeting and Tom Ainsworth, I founded and lead the Radical Methodologies Research Group at the University of Brighton in the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering. Radical Methodologies is a group that explores counter-conventional approaches to research and practice across varied contexts and disciplines. The group’s activities support the development of epistemologically sensitive approaches to situations characterised by complexity, conflicting values, and uncertain boundaries.

Given the systemic complexity of contemporary challenges, questions of methodology are increasingly important. Yet, there remains a tendency to reduce methodological considerations to processes of selection between known methods and techniques. The work of RaM looks to question the roots of methodological assumptions (hence radical – from the Latin radix, or root) and to promote exchange between discourses that tend to get separated out by institutional, disciplinary and departmental structures.

RaM hosts regular events, facilitating the exchange of methodological insight amongst researchers and practitioners and maintaining a strong and active connection to the university’s doctoral postgraduate taught community. Members of the group sustain and develop collaborative partnerships with individuals and organisations externally. Current focuses include feminisms, radical pedagogies, cybernetics, radical constructivism, design activism, meta-design, radical positions in ethics, design research and the philosophy of science, and trans- and post-disciplinary perspectives.