Summary

Today’s applied design researchers are where the action is. They have always operated as a catalyst of change: propelling and steering design and society into brighter futures. But now, more than ever, design researchers teamup with a broad range of stakeholders to get things done. They surround themselves with engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals, citizens, and take leadership in sparking ideas, making things tangible, creating meaning, and driving change. In the wake of the many societal transitions needed to combat today’s challenges, everyone needs to change their ways, their thinking, and the structures they reside in. Applied design researchers can play a crucial role in making that effort worthwhile. They can be facilitators that help others to bridge boundaries of spheres of life, disciplines, sectors, and domains.