Cultivating Reciprocity

Cultivating Reciprocity explores the possibility of applying mutualistic interactions, like those prevalent in natural systems (e.g. clownfish and anemones), to social systems. It is a proposal in response to the individualistic and competitive mindsets that prioritize individual gain over collective well-being. This thesis proposes a two-faceted framework to design for reciprocal interactions in service design and social innovation projects. The reflective and holistic dimensions of this framework seek to enable interconnected relationships among humans and more-than-humans at three scales: Individual, Community, and Social Systems. The work has been conducted through a number of collaborative projects with the Roots Union Community Garden and the Circular Food Innovation Lab as well as auto-ethnographic reflection. Cultivating Reciprocity proposes an approach for designing reciprocal interactions to prioritize collective interests and establish win-win scenarios within systemic design projects.