Articles by Erica Dorn

July 25, 2025

Relational design for democracy and governance

Erica Dorn

Erica Dorn and Sofía Bosch Gómez argue that citizen disillusionment with democratic systems presents designers with an important opportunity. Moving beyond digital interfaces, relational design reimagines governance by prioritising equity, legitimacy, and collective care. Designers help shape who belongs, who decides, and the potential in participatory, inclusive, and systemic interventions

🦋 Democracy: by design and on the move

Erica Dorn

Democracy today is a colonial artefact tied to violent borders. Moreover, it produces an increasing number of non-citizens, unable to participate in democracy where they live. Erica Dorn and Federico Vaz argue that Gagnon's courageous enquiry into defining the historical landscape of democracy can bring more equity to its current – unjust – paradigm

Erica Dorn

Assistant Professor of Design and Innovation, Oregon State University

Erica is the founder of Suburb Futures, a civic design institute that builds community and civic infrastructure in US suburbs.

Her research explores peripheral places as dynamic sites of civic innovation and resilience, and relational practices that foster pro-social values.

www.iamerica.work

@eldorn

The Loop

Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.