Designing Research Impact For Social Inclusion: A Practical Guide

This chapter is based on the key premise that knowledge is power, but that knowledge must be accessible. In this discussion, we bring together two currently separate streams of scholarly debate: that focusing on research dissemination and that focusing on fostering social inclusion. While a broad understanding of the concepts of social inclusion and exclusion is now generally recognized, to date there has been little examination of how sharing of research findings, in meaningful and responsive ways, can promote social inclusion. The chapter addresses and is structured around four topics: (1) what is meant by research dissemination/sharing, and how this relates to processes of social inclusion; (2) the role of creative – specifically design - processes in sharing research widely and in alternative formats; (3) five case studies illustrating how research findings can be shared to promote inclusivity, structured around a known Research Impact Pathway. The chapter concludes with (4) a practical guide to designing research impact, synthesizing key learnings that readers can take into their own practice.