This workshop introduces policy makers, researchers and public sector practitioners to the power of design thinking – a practical approach to fostering collaboration, improving problem-solving, and generating innovative solutions. This workshop provides a hands-on, practical introduction to the methodologies that design thinking has to offer.

Participants will learn how various design thinking methodologies can be used to structure research processes and enhance stakeholder engagement. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of how, when and why to use design thinking to create more effective and impactful research.

Learning Outcomes:

1. A solid understanding of design thinking principles and how they support (collaborative) research.
2. Hands-on experience with different design thinking methodologies.
3. Practical tools for applying these methods in your own work.

Facilitators: Roxanne van Giesen and Mara Verheijen (Centerdata)

Dr. Roxanne van Giesen is a senior researcher at the Policy Research & Analysis department at Centerdata and a staff member at Tilburg University. Her research covers diverse topics, such as digital skills, addressing teacher shortages, enhancing financial resilience, improving children’s development opportunities and promoting sustainable consumer choices.

Mara Verheijen works as a researcher at the Survey Research department of Centerdata. She is academically trained in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Together, Mara and Roxanne have facilitated creative design thinking sessions for various clients. They, for example, organized design thinking sessions with digital skills experts, in a research project commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The central question was how can we create more awareness so that consumers recognize fake web shops and phishing emails? For another project for the ACOI, Roxanne and Mara facilitated collaborative design thinking sessions where journalists and government officials worked together to find solutions for improving collaboration on Woo requests.

Workshop Structure:

1. Introduction (20 minutes):
   • Brief introduction to design thinking: What is design thinking? How to apply this in research projects and why is it relevant to the public sector?
   • A few examples from previous research for the public sector where these methodologies have been applied.
   • Overview of the session agenda and learning goals.
   • Brief energizer to encourage participants to share their experiences with collaborative research and challenges they face in their work.
2. Applying Design Thinking (50 minutes, including a 10 minute break):
   • Participants will work in small groups, applying one of the discussed design thinking methodologies to a public sector challenge related to digital technology and/or collaborative research (e.g., improving digital literacy, enhancing public health systems through digital tools, or fostering digital inclusion). The exercise will include the following phases:
     • Empathy: Identifying stakeholder needs and challenges.
     • Ideation: Brainstorming potential research solutions.
     • (only if there is time left) Prototyping: Developing an initial framework or model for collaborative research.
3. Facilitated Discussion: Overcoming Challenges in Collaborative Research (10 minutes):
   • Plenary discussion on the problems and solutions participants came up with.
4. Closing Remarks and Actionable Takeaways (10 minutes):
   • Exchange of experience of the workshop
   • Exchange of ideas on how to implement design thinking principles in participants’ own contexts.
   • Summary of key points learned during the session.