@article{article_1426058, title={DESIGN ACTIVISM IN EMERGENCY SERVICES: ENGAGING ACTORS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE}, journal={Işık Üniversitesi Sanat, Tasarım ve Mimarlık Dergisi}, volume={1}, pages={5–22}, year={2024}, author={Çekindir, Hande Yıldız and Güvenir, Can}, keywords={Design Activism, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), Design Thinking, Emergency Services, Volunteer Design Community}, abstract={This research explores the symbiotic relationship among design activism, actor-network theory (ANT), and design thinking in shaping socio-technical systems. Design activism, driven by political motivations for social, environmental, and economic change through intentional design interventions, collaborates with governments and organizations in public sector innovation. Operating within this context, design activism utilizes design thinking, imagination, and practice to generate positive transformations. The study delves into the application of design activism in emergency services, emphasizing collaboration with various actors. A case study in İzmir, where volunteer designers supported earthquake-affected citizens in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, illustrates the practical integration of design thinking within design activism. The volunteer designers improved processes, coordinated stakeholders, and created user-friendly interfaces, showcasing the transformative potential of design activism in emergencies. The research highlights the significance of a socio-technical approach, incorporating design thinking’s iterative and collective processes to accommodate both human and non-human actors. Emphasizing collaboration and continuous engagement within networks, the study aligns with ANT’s perspective on success in design activism. The findings underscore the potential for design activism to enhance emergency services through collaborative efforts and transformative design methodologies, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding and shaping socio-technical systems for positive societal impact.}, number={2}, publisher={Işık University Press}, organization={İzmir Metropolitan Municipality}