UAL is part of DESIS (Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability), an international network of 68 design labs, based in design schools and design-focused universities across 32 countries.
More than 20 years after the field of design for social innovation first emerged, DESIS continues to connect international design schools to address social and environmental challenges.
Active thematic clusters include:
- Design with all beings: Expanded communities of social innovation. Co-led by Louise St. Pierre (Emily Carr), Francesco Vergani (Politecnico di Milano), Tokushu Inamura (Kyushu University) and Francesca Valsecchi (Tongji University).
- Design from the margins. Co-led by Cecilia Casas (Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón) and Francesco Mazzarella (UAL).
Aims and objectives
UAL DESIS Lab aims to strengthen design culture across UAL and beyond by:
- Building the capacity of UAL staff and PhD students working in design for social innovation and sustainability.
- Encouraging collaboration among the UAL community and the international DESIS network.
- Facilitating the exchange of design research methods and approaches.
- Showcasing UAL's teaching, research and knowledge exchange in the field of design for social innovation and sustainability.
- Evaluating the impact of design for social innovation and sustainability projects within UAL and beyond.
About UAL DESIS Lab
UAL DESIS Lab is one of the founding members of the DESIS Network. It was established in 2012 by Professor Adam Thorpe and Professor Ezio Manzini (UAL Chair of Design for Social Innovation, 2015-2018).
The Lab brings together:
- UAL staff engaged in research, knowledge exchange, and teaching and learning
- postgraduate students who direct their activities toward participatory design for social innovation and sustainability.
Approach
Design for social innovation at the UAL DESIS Lab focuses on developing new, human-centred, and collaborative ways to tackle complex social problems. It brings together diverse stakeholders and involves beneficiaries as active participants. The goal is to create positive social outcomes that are shared collectively, not owned by a single innovator.
The Lab works with communities, organisations, and public bodies to explore more inclusive and sustainable ways of living and working. It aims to improve access to power and resources and to change social relationships. Through this, the Lab seeks to make systems more inclusive, fair, and just, helping to create lasting positive change.
Contact
UAL staff and students who want to apply their design research and practice to address current and future social challenges are invited to join UAL DESIS Lab. This is an opportunity to contribute to social innovation and sustainability initiatives with a global community of like-minded academics and postgraduate students.
To learn more and get involved, please introduce yourself by emailing desis@arts.ac.uk.
Coordinating committee
UAL DESIS Lab is co-led with DESIS representatives from across the University:
- Camberwell, Chelsea and Wimbledon Colleges of Arts: Professor Becky Earley
- Central Saint Martins: Professor Lorraine Gamman and Professor Adam Thorpe
- London College of Communication: Professor Alison Prendiville and Dr Lara Salinas
- London College of Fashion: Dr Francesco Mazzarella
- Creative Computing Institute: Professor Nick Bryan-Kinns