Multispecies Engagement and Speculative Ecologies: Towards Multispecies Ways of Knowing for Eco-Social Speculations

Harles, Lynn (2024) Multispecies Engagement and Speculative Ecologies: Towards Multispecies Ways of Knowing for Eco-Social Speculations. In: P/References of Design. Cumulus conference proceedings series, 1 . Cumulus Association, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Budapest, pp. 1149-1166. ISBN 978-952-7549-02-5

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Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of "Multispecies Engagement" as a framework to bridge speculative design practices with emerging multispecies and interspecies approaches that challenge the traditional human-centred focus within the design discipline. It emphasizes the necessity of incorporating non-human stakeholders into speculative design processes to address climate-related challenges, such as biodiversity loss, environmental conservation, and energy transitions, among others, thereby fostering social and ecological innovations. This study underscores the critical role of speculative design in tackling these issues and traces its evolution toward multispecies approaches, drawing from interdisciplinary fields like anthropology, amidst emerging socio-ecological challenges, transcending purely technological implications. The discussion is grounded in a mapping of Multispecies tendencies and potentials within design. This mapping identifies fields of action, roles, skills, and responsibilities of speculative designers, prompting further discourse. The goal is to provide guidance on navigating these diverse approaches and delineating the actions required from speculative and future-making designers concerning the potentials and limitations of embracing a multispecies perspective.

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