About
The DESIS (DESIGN for Social Innovation and Sustainability) @ Nova SBE leverages qualitative methods and design to understand collaboration for social innovation and different forms of organizing as well as to support social innovators and communities tackling social and environmental issues. Our work sits at the intersection of research, education and community engagement.
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Our Approach
Over the past years, the DESIS Lab has engaged in a variety of projects aimed at applying a design thinking approach, aligned with life-centered design principles. Our approach is practical and focused on collaboration, learning, and community engagement. By emphasizing experimentation and iterative development, and sharing knowledge, we aim to support the growth of innovative solutions that may address real challenges. Our work sits at the intersection of research, education and community engagement.
Our Story
The DESIS Lab @ Nova SBE was launched in October 2021 as the programming and community engagement arm of the ERA Chair in Social Innovation, a chair funded by the European Research Agency (2021-2026).
Leveraging the research and teaching developed by the ERA Chair in Social Innovation, the DESIS Lab aimed to provide NOVA SBE students and anyone in our local communities with opportunities to tackle social and environmental issues and develop sustainable and impactful solutions. To learn more about the DESIS Lab and the ERA Chair in Social Innovation’s work, check the Archives. Since September 2026, the DESIS Lab @ Nova SBE has become a stand-alone entity which aims to continue to embrace the 3-pillar approach and the multidisciplinary work of the ERA Chair in Social Innovation.
Our Mentors
System thinking, Ecosystem Builder and Product Design
Product and Service Designer, Community Builder
Open innovation, Learning, Design Thinking
Community Manager, Art and Creativity
Social entrepreneur, Architect and Capacity builder
Service Design, Design Strategy, Design Research
Maker, Prototyper, Architect
Systemic Design, Responsible Design, Service Design
UX, Design System, Product Design
Interdisciplinary Designer, Industrial and Product Design, Artist
Design Strategy, Graphic Design, Social Innovation
DESIS Network
We are part of the DESIS International Network, an international network of 68 design labs in design schools and design focused universities across 32 countries. Their research and design activities aim to address social and environmental challenges.
The DESIS Lab @ Nova SBE participates to 2 academic clusters of the DESIS Network:
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Power of Collaboration (POC). Co-led by Yumei Dong (Jiangnan University), Miaosen Gong (Jiangnan University), Ezio Manzini (DESIS network).
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Design from the margins. Co-led by Cecilia Casas (Escuela Superior de Diseño de Aragón) and Francesco Mazzarella (UAL).