skip to main content
Artist working with textiles

UAL Social Design Institute

Championing research and practice in social design and design for sustainability

The UAL Social Design Institute is a new institute that uses research insights to change how designers and organisations design.

We connect UAL staff and students with external partners who are working in social and sustainable design. Our mission is to make a positive social and environmental difference.

In its first year, the Institute is experimenting with different ways to link up UAL with organisations and partners in:

  • research
  • teaching and learning
  • knowledge exchange

Find out more about what we do, what's happening, how you can work with us and get in touch.

Sustainable Fast-Fashion Installation by Jenny Banks.
Sustainable Fast-Fashion Installation by Jenny Banks, Central Saint Martins. © John Sturrock

About us

Learn more about our plans to boost research, partnerships and positive change in sustainable and ethical design.

Student holding a box of sustainable materials
Sustainable materials in the library, Central Saint Martins. © Alys Tomlinson

Contact us

Interested in what we do or working with us? Get in touch: socialdesigninstitute@arts.ac.uk

News and events

Collage of people's portraits
Social Design Institute, Between Design Research and Practice.

Between Design Research and Policy Practice

Join us on 26 February for an evening of conversations and showcases - using design to explore public policy and social issues.

Person with wheelbarrow walking through the garden project
MAKE @Story Garden.

MAKE @ Story Garden: an evaluation

Explore Dr.Patrycja Kaszynska's study of MAKE @ Story Garden - a public space for creative collaboration with, and by, the local community in Somers Town and St Pancras.

A discussion at the Social Design Institute workshop
Workshop: Futures That Need Anticipating: Making and Discussion Studio.

Our Inaugural Event

We introduced the Social Design Institute at the London Design Festival. Catch up on workshops, discussions and watch our keynote speech by Professor Guy Julier.

A row of satellites
ALMA from drone © Liam Young

Tricky Design Symposium: Design Ethics for a Complex World

Take a look back at this year's event with our full summary and watch the presentations and discussions.

Our people