Combining design research with microbiology to tackle drug-resistant infections in different home environments in Ghana: Challenging the boundaries of design thinking

Abstract

The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to present design research work that crosses into specialist medical areas, in this instance that of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); and secondly, to contribute to the debate on the need for designdriven research to explore alternative ways of delivering healthcare by focusing on preventive design responses. These points are addressed in the exploration of an international design-led research project, Dust Bunny. The project uniquely combines design research and microbiology to provide an informed assessment of societal practices in domestic cleanliness and to co-create novel solutions that reduce infections in the home. The findings and experiences from this unique transdisciplinary collaboration (design, microbiology, epidemiology and social science) reveal several insights on the challenges and opportunities on challenging the boundaries of design thinking.