The Societal Impact of Applied Design Research

In a rapidly evolving world, the need for innovative approaches to societal challenges is more critical than ever. As partners of the Network Applied Design Research (NADR), we believe that applied design research can be a promising approach for addressing complex issues in many domains, such as healthcare, digital media, and urban sustainability. But what makes applied design research such a powerful force for societal change? And how can designers move beyond mere problem-solving to create lasting impact?

To discuss this, NADR applies an annual knowledge cycle where researchers submit contributions that are mutually reflected upon. The contributions you can read in these preceedings are the result of such a knowledge-sharing process. The twenty-one contributions are divided into four themes, each addressing a different dimension of the issue at hand. Contributions in part 1 – Connecting System Levels – emphasise the relationship between small-scale interventions and large-scale change. Contributions in part 2 – Theory of Change – examine how change processes actually take place. Contributions in part 3 – Balancing Different Worldviews – address the unique perspective that each stakeholder involved contributes. And contributions in part 4 – Beyond Solutionism – discuss whether it is at all possible to develop ready-made ‘solutions’ to the complex challenges we are facing.