2017 Pacific West Regional Conference

Designer Educators as Advocates for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community

Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and the Palouse

Today’s social, political and cultural climate is bringing to the forefront issues of identity, conflict, inclusion, and diversity. Cultural literacy and competence are fundamental as we navigate beyond our Western perspective in a paradigm shift to global understanding and authentic care. Connection to community— through two-way knowing is indispensable to evolve our thinking. We will negotiate how contributions from design can bridge with other disciplines into a hands-on systems approach and stimulate multiple ways of thinking and doing. The connections we make with our local and global community will infuse our teaching practice and professional service with sensitivity, ability, relevance, and great potentials.

This conference invites scholarship and dialogue around the following questions:

  1. As design educators, how do we build capacity for empathy and compassion in our students, in our workplaces, and in our communities?
  2. What is the role of design in addressing contemporary issues such as shelter, poverty, resources, sustainability, immigration, gender issues, civility, prejudice, safety, cultural identity, inclusion, climate change, community activism, rural community equity, native community building, civic engagement, human-centered, social responsibility, collaboration, cross-disciplinary.
  3. What are best practices and lessons learned from studio and community projects?
October 16-17, 2017

Hosted by the University of Idaho School of Art and Architecture and Washington State University School of Design and Construction

Conference Fees

Member
Non-Member
Student
Full Conference
$130
$155
$60
One Day
$100
$125
$30

Hotel Information

Hotel concierge talking on the phone at the front desk

Courtyard Tempe Downtown
601 South Ash Avenue
Tempe AZ 85281

Room Rates: $156 (Includes Complimentary Parking)

Want To Become A Conference Sponsor?

To become an IDEC event partner, simply access the details in our Sponsor Packet for comprehensive information on our partnership opportunities.