Harold G. Nelson - Affiliate Associate Professor
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Contact Information
Phone: 206-282-5994Email: hgnelson@u.washington.edu
University of California, Berkeley, (Ph.D. 1979)
University of California, Berkeley (M.Arch. 1975)
Montana State University (B.Arch. 1970)
Design and Systems Groups
Biography
Early in his professional career as an architect, Dr. Nelson was inspired by the challenges presented in the design of complex public facilities--problems, which went beyond the bounds of traditional architectural practice. He returned to study at the University of California Berkeley, where he received his Ph.D with distinction. Working through the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, his dissertation focused on a systems approach to understanding the impact on rural communities of large-scale resource development projects, with an emphasis on value distribution assessment. His research continues to focus on the development of design as its own tradition, and the resolution of complex problems through a systems based design philosophy; a philosophy that enables design to be taken seriously as a discipline, and systems thinking to be used practically in application. In 2001, Dr. Nelson served as president of the International Society of Systems Science.Research
Current research is focused on design and systems thinking, particularly as it applies to: design education, curriculum design, and the development of design competency in organizations and community groups. Primary research is now focused in these areas:Awards
Outstanding Book of the Year - 2004Nelson, Harold G. Stolterman, Erik. The Design Way: Intentional Change In An Unpredictable World; Foundations and Fundamentals of Design Competence. Award given by the Division of Instructional Development--Association for Educational Communications and Technology. http://www.haroldnelson.com/work1.htm
Myer Foundation Visiting Scholar - 1996 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
President's Award for Excellence in Teaching - 1984 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Professional
Dr. Nelson's focus on design research has led him to work with a wide range of clients: corporations, school systems, private universities, state and federal agencies, international governments, and the United Nations. He has consulted with universities in Turkey, Sweden, and Chile--as well as the US--on the development of design focused curriculums. "The Design Way" is used as the primary text in graduate design courses in several countries, in cultures as diverse as Sweden and India. Dr. Nelson's work has also been utilized by designers for the Australian Department of Defense, an IBM think tank, and in the design of student services at a large university.Invited Lectures
2006 "Leadership as Design Forum: Design Practice '+'." The Banff Centre, Leadership Development Program, Banff, Canada.2005 "Advancing Design Thinking: a New Look at an Old Tradition, a Different Look at a New Tradition." Staff presentation at SRI International, Menlo Park, CA.
2004 "Measuring Up: A Whole Systems Design Approach." Keynote address, Systems Engineering / Test and Evaluation Conference: "Focusing on Project Success", Nov. 2004, Adelaide Australia. Conference presented by the Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA) in co-operation with The International Test and Evaluation Association, and the 2nd International Council of Systems Engineering (ICOSE) Region VI.
2004 "Is Design a Science, or an Art? A Trick Question." Public lecture, University of Art and Design Helsinki. Helsinki, Finland.
2004 "The Design of Design Learning; a Whole Systems Approach." Ph.D. Seminar, University of Art and Design Helsinki. Helsinki, Finland.
2004 "Introduction to the Systems Approach: C. West Churchman." Presentation, Umeå University, Umeå Sweden.
2004 "Advanced Design Theory." Presentation, Umeå University, Umeå Sweden.
2004 "What if Architecture is Design?" Presentation, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.
2004 "Design: The 3rd Tradition." Presentation, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho.
2004 "Design Knowledge, and Design Judgment." Presentations (2) Umeå University. Umeå Sweden.
