Introduction
A new PhD degree (in architecture) has been established in Flanders. Designing will be the core of the research activities at Sint-Lucas School of Architecture. A methodology and framework for this research still has to be developed. The spring conference ‘the Unthinkable Doctorate’ (April 2005), organised by Sint-Lucas and NETHCA discussed doctorates in Architecture in an international context. A critical overview of the wide range of viewpoints and directions internationally available at the different universities was made.
It is clear that more and more universities develop PhD programs trying to validate the specific type of knowledge in and from practice. Designing processes as well as implicit and 'Mode 2' knowledge are made more explicit by research activities involved.
Overall goals of the Research Training Sessions
- Facilitating discussions on research directions in the fields of architecture and design (priority);
- Developing research focus for Sint-Lucas (long term goal);
- Supporting researchers at Sint-Lucas (and others) (consequence);
- Establishing international collaborations between schools of architecture;
- Creating input for research within the different domains of research and education;
- Preparing researchers for design-based research projects or a PhD in architecture (or design).
