The US in Museum: Promoting Student Engagement through ReGenring Academic Writing and Collaborations

This case study describes a collaboration between the Creative Product Design programme at the University of Hertfordshire and the Museum of St Albans. This four-year project, now entering its third year, explores ways of better engaging design and craft students in the academic strand of the course. One approach is to find fresh ways of addressing theoretical aspects of study by taking the work out of the lecture room and exploring the same concepts through practical activity; a process of ‘regenring’ academic research and writing. Intrinsically linked to this approach is the perceived need to engage all students in a reflective process of design in which theoretical, social, cultural and historical aspects are embedded in studio practice. This article reports on a curatorial project undertaken this year as part of the collaboration, The US in Museum, which is effectively enthusing the students and giving them a new understanding of the relevance of theoretical and contextual knowledge in the designer’s skillset.