About

The Design Policy Lab investigates the relationship between design and policymaking.
Active since 2016 within the Department of Design of Politecnico di Milano, the Design Policy Lab is a research unit that operates in the field of “design for policy,” dedicating itself to the investigation of the practices and processes that constitute policymaking, the design and implementation of public policies, through the disciplinary and cultural perspective of design.

Design Policy Lab’s activities include research, experimental public innovation practices, scientific dissemination, public engagement and training.

The Design Policy Lab confronts contemporary challenges related to sustainability and digital transformation in different areas of public policy and public services, supporting its partners in translating innovation goals into concrete and contextualized actions through innovative processes.

Our activities include:

• Innovative methods and partnerships for data-centric public innovation
• Development of citizen engagement frameworks, methodological and evaluative approaches
• Digital tools for stakeholder and beneficiary engagement (e.g., interactive prototypes)
• Human-centered methods and co-creation in public governance contexts
• Research communication and dissemination

We advance the public sector innovation agenda through several lines of research:

• Urban circular metabolisms for a sustainable and inclusive transition
• Food systems and circular product-service approaches
• Data-driven/data-centric approaches to policymaking
• Patient-innovation in public care and prevention services
• Systemic design and policy entrepreneurship

In the area of training, the Design Policy Lab aims to improve the knowledge and capacity of public actors, with a particular focus on the design capabilities of policymakers and public administration, by making the latest research on “design for policy” and public innovation available through ad hoc formats .

The Design Policy Lab is active in major academic and professional networks dedicated to “design for policy.”

Team

Former collaborators

Martina Carraro, Doctoral Researcher

Ichen Chiang, Student Internship

Bria Versace, Research collaborator