This session outlines the journey from experienced learning designer to emerging researcher, leveraging critical and creative methodologies stemming from practice. Drawing on a previously tested, practice-oriented workshop, developed from a recent chapter, it explores how learning designers might adapt practice-based methods into research, equipping early career researchers with the agency to develop unique approaches. (Molloy & Thomson, 2023, 2024) It examines creative methods such as zine making and speculative fiction in contrast with practical methods undertaken developing a graduate programme for learning designers. Finally, it will analyse the intersection of learning design practice and research, addressing the “not-yetness” of shifting roles, while providing valuable insight and guidance for future researchers. (Collier & Ross, 2017)

Collier, A., & Ross, J. (2017). For whom, and for what? Not-yetness and thinking beyond open content. Open Praxis, 9(1), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.5944/openpraxis.9.1.406

​​Molloy, K., & Thomson, C. (2023). Humanising learning design with digital pragmatism. In Czerniewicz, L., & Cronin, C. (Eds.), Higher education for good (1st ed., pp. 397–420). Open Book Publishers. https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0363.17

Molloy, K., & Thomson, C. (2024). Humanising learning design with digital pragmatism. OER24 Conference. ALT. https://blokks.co/schedules/oer24/#/2024-03-28/qmv8976e62ga/workshop-122-humanising-learning-design-with-digital-pragmatism