JOIN DRS

For over 50 years the DRS has provided a space for the design research community to discuss, promote and develop design research. By joining this worldwide society, you will have opportunities to both expand your own design research network and shape how design research develops as a discipline.

The world faces extraordinary challenges and DRS aims to foster the dialogues - the exchanges of thinking and practice - that enable design research to respond to these challenges and to influence practice and policy.

Becoming a DRS member means that you can:

• Have access to a diverse international community of design researchers through our database, Special Interest Groups, and events
• Complete your own research profile so that other DRS members can find out about your research
• Have access to regular design research news and an opportunity to be part of that news
• Find out about design research events, jobs and other opportunities
• Become a member of Special Interest Group (SIG) or apply to start up your own SIG with DRS funding
• Be the first to find out about our biennial international conference - one of the largest design research events globally
• Receive registration discounts for DRS and partner events
• Engage with activities specifically addressing the needs of our doctoral research community and early career researchers

DRS membership plans

Membership plans run for 12 months from date of registration.

Standard Membership

Membership for the Design Research Society is open to any individual associated with design research in all its forms, from any country, and who supports the Aims of the Society and agrees to its Terms and Conditions.

Members of the DRS pay an annual membership fee of £60 (GBP). A reduced rate of £45 is available to members of a DAC country.

Members are entitled to nominate and vote in council elections and attend and vote at general meetings of the Society.  Sign up here.

Student Membership

Student membership applies to those who are currently undertaking a post-graduate qualification. Student membership of the Design Research Society is open to any individual associated with design research in all its forms, from any country, and who supports the Aims of the Society and agrees to its Terms and Conditions.

Student members of the DRS pay an annual membership fee of £30 (GBP).  A reduced rate of £15 is available to members of a DAC country.

Student members are entitled to attend and vote at general meetings of the Society.   Sign up here.

Fellows

Members of the Design Research Society who can demonstrate a significant contribution to design research can apply to become a Fellow of the DRS.

DRS Fellowship Application Process (pdf)

The register of current DRS Fellows can be found on the Fellows page.

As with other membership plans Fellowship is open to any individual associated with design research in all its forms, from any country, and who supports the Aims of the Society and agrees to its Terms and Conditions.

Fellows of the DRS pay an annual membership fee of £105 (GBP).

Fellows of the DRS are entitled to use the post-nominal letters FDRS. Fellows can nominate and vote in council elections as well as attend general meetings of the Society.

To find out more about applying to become a Fellow of the DRS please go to the Fellows page.