Niti Bhan

Summary

Niti's research interests lie in the intersection between design methods, knowledge systems particularly local, traditional and indigenous knowledges, and participatory social design-driven transformation. She is currently exploring the relationship between post-colonial indigenous research paradigms (Chilisa 2019) and integrated product development strategies for holistic knowledge production that implements cognitive justice (Visvanathan 1997; 2021) for research at the Cultural Interface (Nakata 1997, 2007; Durie 2005).

Over 30 years of professional creative practice in design and innovation. This includes 15 years of leading interdisciplinary teams for fieldwork using design anthropology methodologies (rapid ethnography, indepth interviews, day in the life, observations and shadowing in markets, farms, villages, borderlands and more). Fieldwork personally completed in South Africa, The Philippines, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and with local assistance in Benin and Malawi. Networks span the African continent.

Public recognition of original knowledge production includes Invitation to mainstage of TED Global 2017 in Arusha Tanzania
TEDTalk video https://www.ted.com/talks/niti_bhan_the_hidden_opportunities_of_the_informal_economy

Profile

Researcher info

Institution

Aalto University School of Engineering

Department/faculty

Interdisciplinary Innovation and Development

Contact information

niti.bhan@aalto.fi
+358414788636

Keywords
Africa creativity design indigenous knowledge systems informal economy innovation post-colonial research qualitative research research paradigms social design