Inquiry is another way of saying curiosity, and in the hybridity of contemporary education curiosity about one’s work and world are related and valuable to each other. Engaging inquiry can be a discrete act (a way to ask specific questions) and a way to probe larger contexts: What environments allow a question to thrive so it becomes an on-going reference point for one’s work, whether that be research, cultural critique, art and design practice or learning? Inquiry can become the framework for the life of the individual and for how and why one practices one’s work or learning.

Influences on Inquiry: other professionals, materials, bodies of work, popular cultures, contemporary issues, a specific time in history, social action or movements: What does one need to probe to be able to fully realize their work.

Education can offer a culture inquiry that allows one to not only further develop their work, but also better articulate it. Inquiry and articulation, like observation and reflection, are complementary actions that lead to meaning-making in the practice/production process.

In exploring these ideas, this conference key theme will be open to scholars and practitioners from multiple fields.