In the cultivation of research excellence – is rigour a no-brainer?

This article explores the metaphor of ‘rigour’ and challenges its suitability for encouraging research ‘excellence’ within universities. By way of illustration, the author proposes a non-linear writing method that, when supported by good tutelage, renders plagiarism virtually impossible. The system grew out of the Design Futures, Masters in Art (M.A.), at Goldsmiths, University of London, which help designers to write more usefully, and to enable them to re-purpose their writing. This tetrahedral writing structure was designed to subvert imposed rigour by fostering a more dynamic, collective, ethical and entrepreneurial approach.