Social Design

Social Design research in the school is represented across the different subject disciplines and expertise. It encompasses a broad range of research activities that explore how design can make positive social and environmental difference within public sector, government and social innovation contexts. It includes work looking at how design supports social innovation in a culturally-grounded context and champions alternative practices to better support a socially focused agenda.

The impact of our research is evidenced for example through our engagements with national and international social innovation organisations and funders. Work with Impact Hub Phnom Penh and The Young Foundation has helped transform the way organisations use evaluation and has resulted in improved social outcomes for the marginalised and excluded communities they serve.

Research conducted in this space offers frameworks to support socially-engaged design practices, seeking to challenge the current hegemony of Western-centric academic traditions and knowledge systems. It contributes to a growing movement in design research looking to diversify and de-colonise design in order to realise more sustainable, equitable and socially-just futures.