This thesis builds on the notion that many contemporary crises arise from and are reinforced by an entrenched oppositional way of thinking that considers some forms of being, thinking, knowing, and doing superior to others. This way of thinking creates divisive structures that establish hierarchies based on socially constructed notions of priority and impedes our capacity to comprehend, relate to, and engage with the intricate and relational realities of the universe and our interconnectedness within it. Left unchallenged, these dualistic ways of thinking may risk hindering our transformation towards more sustainable futures. In response, by integrating theories and practices from the domains of design, futuring, and strategising with empirical insights generated through a series of design experiments, this study explores how to cultivate ‘thinking otherwise’ through design. The findings suggest that thinking otherwise is a way of thinking that embraces and deliberately stretches, bends, and leans into tension, where tension is understood as seemingly opposing elements that are, in truth, interrelated and complementary. In this context, design can be seen as a means to surface, generate and navigate tensions and foster a mindset that embraces tension as a support to designing. This thesis offers practical approaches to equip design practitioners with the means to foster thinking otherwise and embrace tension within their professional practice.  

The supervisors are committee members in a non-voting capacity. The Ph.D. defence is public. 
 
A reception will be arranged afterwards. The PhD thesis as a download, can be obtained from Rike Neuhoff by sending an email to rne@create.aau.dk