Society’s greatest challenges require coordinated, collective efforts. Many communities are looking for evidence-based solutions to help achieve their visions for the future, but they often struggle to mobilize their existing assets, such as knowledge, experience, and relationships, while at the same time a growing number of scientists are eager to do societally impactful research, however they often lack the forum or resources to connect to public stakeholders.
The Elevate Co-lab project, funded by the Dana Foundation and the Institute for Methods Innovation, is piloting a co-created, community-driven problem-solving process between neuroscience researchers, policymakers, and community members (such as teachers, local business owners, and community leaders). Our team will experiment with asset-based approaches which honor the unique skills and strengths of each partner in the process, so that societal impact can happen with communities and not for them. The goal of this initiative is to implement community-driven solutions to challenges at the intersection of neuroscience and society, such as how to embrace neurodiversity in education or the workplace. We are doing this through asset-based approaches to community design including:
- Exploratory workshops. Neurodiverse individuals and advocates will be asked to share their personal experiences and to develop strategies to create supportive and inclusive workplace environments for neurodiverse individuals.
- Pilots. Participants will help guide proposed solutions from the exploratory workshops.
- Demonstration activities. Participants will be invited to public events and meetings to discuss the progress of the pilot project teams.
Resources
Neuroinclusive by Design: Practical Pilots and Proven Practices for Every Workplace
This resource shares three actionable pilot programs co-designed during the project: flexible accommodation plans, a neurodivergent sabbatical model, and manager training for neuroinclusion.
Alongside these, you’ll find guiding principles and templates to help your organisation build more inclusive systems grounded in lived experience and ready to adapt.
Designing With: A Guide to Empathy Interviews and Co-Creation Workshops
A practical guide for researchers, practitioners, and changemakers interested in human-centered design.
This booklet outlines how to plan and facilitate empathy interviews and co-creation workshops, with tips, question templates, and examples drawn directly from Elevate Co-Lab’s process.
It’s a step-by-step resource for anyone looking to design with, not just for.
