Research paper and people analyzing the work

Research for Design for Social Impact

PROGRAMME SUMMARY

 

Registration for our next cohort starting January 10th 2025 is now open!

An intimate, global, group program for non-profit and academic changemakers who want to design equity-centred, anti-oppressive monitoring, evaluation and research for social action

 

Conventional Monitoring, Evaluation and Research processes do not centre equity

 

Conventional knowledge production in the social impact space often prioritizes metrics and funding over genuine human connection and societal change.

Buzzwords like "impact metrics," "grant funding," "value for money" and "publish or perish" dominate the discourse.

While this approach may yield quick results for some, it leaves conscientious social impact practitioners feeling disheartened.

For you, it's not just about quick pre-determined indicators; it's about making a tangible difference in people's lives.

  • You prioritize integrity and ethical conduct in your evidence practices.
  • You want to research design processes that will inform meaningful social impact projects.

But if you’re reading this, chances are you haven’t figured out how to embody those values in your monitoring, research or evaluation work. And that’s because your training wasn’t made for people like you.

You need a different approach.

Is this course for you?

At Design for Social Impact Lab, our purpose is to create a profound social impact by revolutionising the way organisations and individuals approach social change.

We support organisations design equity-centred programs, policies, research and learning. Our approach to research and learning is rebellious and anti-oppressive.

In collaboration with the University of Bristol and the University of East London, we are offering up to 10 places on our signature Research Design for Social Impact course for small charities, community based organisations and volunteers whose work support historically underserved and  global majority populations in the UK.

We particularly welcome applications from people who belong to groups that are underrepresented in research careers, including:

  • Members of Global Majority groups: People from  racial and ethnic groups who have experienced systemic racism and/othering .
  • Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Individuals who have been forced to flee their countries.
  • Low-Income and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Individuals: People from low-income backgrounds who have faced systemic socio-economic barriers.
  • People with Disabilities: Those who have experienced barriers to access and inclusion due to disabilities.
  • Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: People who have been incarcerated and faced significant barriers to reintegration and access to opportunities..

This continuous professional development course is fully-funded through the University of East London's Social transformation and advocacy through research (STAR) partnership with UKRI 

Funded by OfS and Research England, the UEL STAR project aims to increase the participation of global majority individuals in postgraduate research (PGR) study and research careers by offering a targeted programme that enhances research and research advocacy skills from school to undergraduate to masters to doctoral levels.

Participants on this course will have the opportunity to learn more and apply for fully and partially-funded places on the University of East London's MRes Social Justice courses.

So,  are you....?

  • UK-based
  • An employee or volunteer for a community-based, social justice organisation?
  • From a Global Majority or historically underserved community?
  • In a small-medium organisation with limited CPD budget?
  • Eager to learn anti-oppressive approaches to research?
  • In a role where you design “evidence” based social impact programs and would like some additional tools and a community space? 
  • Looking for a course designed by practitioners, for practitioners? 

If the answer is yes, then come join us, January 10th 2025 for an 8-week learning journey. (Not from one of these groups but still interested? We offer fee-paying courses for non-profit practitioners, academics and UX researchers. Click here for more information)

  • We meet on Fridays, 10- 11:30 AM with a couple of sessions scheduled for 1:30-3 PM GMT
  • Once accepted, you will be sent timetable, with calendar invites.

You will need to have access to the internet to do this course and at least an intermediate level of English.

You'll come away with ideas and tangible actions, reshaping the narratives and power dynamics that perpetuate inequality.

Most importantly, you'll have tried and tested methods that you can apply to your own work and practice.

 

What you can expect from the course, and us:

The Research for Design for Social Impact is not your standard online course. Our six sessions together are designed to empower you with innovative tools, fresh perspectives, and practical skills to drive social change within your research practice.

You will give you a fantastic opportunity to join a group of peers who want to integrate a critical, participatory action-orientated approach to your scholarship, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). The programme is for you if you’re looking for:

  • A 8-week programme, comprised of bi-weekly 1- 1.5  hour, online sessions, and learning activities, grounded in equity-centred design thinking, anti-racism and anti-colonial practice.
  • An Introduction to creative, participatory research approaches to research methods and joint analysis
  • Practical and tried and tested examples around how to build in participatory evidence & research within resistant organisations, and with resistant funders.
  • Weekly engagement in course content via either self-led reading and reflection activities or participation in live webinars.
  • Discussion, learning and exploration of topics like power and anti-oppressive approaches to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning.
  • Interactive approaches to learning and development which prioritise peer learning rather than lengthy lectures.
  • Webinars will be recorded and available following the end of the course.
  • A 30-minute 1:1 coaching session
  • A certificate of completion (if you attend 80% of the course) from the University of East London and University of Bristol

 

By the end of the course, you will come away with:

  • The language, frameworks, and conceptual understanding of what research equity design means and looks like in your work.
  • Practical experience of applying theory to practice- You'll be working on real-life challenges and supported by a team who has decades of experience designing equity centred MERL. 
  • An individualised action plan to embed Design for Social Impact's eight principles into your work.
  • Continuous opportunities to learn and engage - you will be part of a community of learners who can support and learn from one another. We actively encourage collaborative learning, dialogue, and sharing of experiences and job opportunities to foster a sense of solidarity.
Register for Waiting list ( Jan 2025)

Your Guest Lecturers

On this course, you get to learn with and from a diverse group of people!

Each week we invite practitioners to share their experiences of integrating anti-oppressive research and evaluation methods. These community conversations are practical, enriching and show you how a diverse range of people, from around the globe, are applying these methods in a wide variety of non-profit and research roles. 

Scroll below to see some of our previous faculty members

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Course overview

 

Week 1: Introduction to Research for Design for Social Impact (Foundations)

  • Theme: Defining Research for Design for Social Impact.
    • Exploring the motivations behind anti-oppressive approaches to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL)
    • Design for Social Impact's key principles, framework and ethical considerations.

Week 2: Intersectionality in Research

  • Theme: Unveiling Interconnected Identities
    • Discussing the role of power dynamics in shaping monitoring, evaluation, research and learning processes.
    • Understanding the concept of intersectionality in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning processes.
    • Ethics, informed consent through an intersectional lens.

Week 3: Anti-Colonial and  Anti-Racist Approaches in Research

  • Theme: Challenging Colonial Narratives
    • Critiquing colonial biases in MERL methodologies.
    • Examining the importance of centering multiple knowledges and perspectives.
    • Incorporating anti-colonial and decolonial approaches to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning design and execution.

Week 4: Activist Methodologies

  • Theme: Bridging Theory and Action
    • Exploring critical participatory action research and other activist methodologies.
    • Photovoice
    • Cartographies  
     

Week 5: Co-Analysis in Rebellious Research

  • Theme: Collaborative Analysis for Collective Understanding
    • Introducing co-analysis as a tool for collective interpretation of data.
    • Facilitating collaborative sense-making within research teams.
    • Case studies illustrating successful co-analysis in rebellious research projects.   

Weeks 6: Action Planning and Future Directions

  • Theme: Applying Research for Design Principles in Practice
    • Designing and implementing equity-centred monitoring, evaluation, research and learning projects.

    • Presenting findings and discussing the potential for social action.

    • Reflecting on the challenges and successes of the research process

    • Afro Futurism & charting the path forward and encouraging ongoing engagement in rebellious monitoring, evaluation, research and learning processes.

 

 

Design for Social Impact has worked  with dozens of organisations, including: