ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a type of research that transcends prevailing dichotomies. More specifically, it makes explicit some contradictions of conducting this research when addressing the complex situations of contemporary society. The chapter also discusses two Flemish PhD trajectories that construct publics on societal issues. It addresses a brief literature overview on the concepts of doctorateness in art and design in relation to the form of research. Both PhD projects deal with everyday issues, employment and housing respectively, and centre on spatial aspects of these broad societal concerns. These trajectories have inspired us to formulate pointers for nurturing a more nuanced debate on the richness and diversity of ways in which doctorateness in art and design, actively engaged with societal issues and publics, can be understood. The PhD Design as Public Practice is built on one Belgian anchor case study under the project name 'The Other Market' (TOM) and some smaller case studies abroad.
