Research Design for Social Impact
This impact report documents the Research Design for Social Impact Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme delivered by Design for Social Impact Lab (DFSI Lab) between 2023 and 2025, in partnership with the University of East London (UEL) and the University of Bristol.
The programme was part of the Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research (STAR) project — a collaboration funded by the Office for Students (OfS) and Research England — designed to dismantle structural barriers to research participation and careers for global majority communities and historically underserved groups.
Known across cohorts as “Rebellious Research for Social Action,” the programme rejected the extractive logic of traditional research training. It was built on the conviction that communities are experts in their own lives; that knowledge systems shaped by colonialism and white supremacy must be actively challenged; and that research practice in the social sector should serve liberation, not compliance.
This report draws on participant feedback, cohort evaluation reports, facilitator reflections, application data from 202+ individuals, and CSV feedback surveys across multiple cohorts. It is written for current and prospective partners, funders, community organisations and practitioners who share the belief that evidence and research can — and must — be tools for collective power and structural change.
This is a resource produced by a Research-England-funded EDI project. UKCGE has not been involved in the production of the content and the materials themselves have been uploaded with the permission of Research England and the project leaders. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders; if we have made omissions or you feel certain materials should not be included here, please get in touch via ukcge@ukcge.ac.uk.