Catalysts: Thoughts on Design Research for Meaningful Change

Creatives, designers and researchers often find themselves in the role of ‘Catalysts’ in complex change processes. This might be in projects commissioned by clients or partners or in self-initiated projects. Many of us identify ourselves as activists and ambassadors for system change. The articles in this publication are particularly honing in on creative contributions to ‘Meaningful Change’. So not just on any change, as in change-for-change’s-sake, but on meaningful change that makes a real difference to the everyday lives of people, organisations and the planet as a whole. The seven themed sections offer a wide range of observations on the various ways that design and research are contributing to many different meaningful change processes, aiming to inform and inspire research and design activists all over the globe.

Each themed section starts with a brief introduction on its specific angle to meaningful change, followed by an essay co-authored by partners from the Reach Network, and complemented by contributions from other partners around the world. The seven themed sections are: LIVE, ENGAGE, SUSTAIN, PROBE, PLAY, WORK, and CONNECT.

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The book is available to purchase online.