Dartington Service Design Lab Campuses

The Buckfastleigh Campus, home to the Dartington Service Design Lab, specializes in advanced social research and service design aimed at transforming public services for children and young people. Originating from the historic Dartington Social Research Unit, this location focuses on evidence-informed systemic improvements rather than traditional academic teaching, hosting multidisciplinary teams of researchers, designers, and policy experts.

Social Research and Policy: In-depth studies on education, child care, young offenders, and wellbeing, producing seminal works like 'The Hothouse Society' and 'Lost in Care' that shaped UK legislation such as the 1989 Children Act.
Service Design and Innovation: User-centered design for children's services, early intervention programs, and prevention strategies, including tools like 'Matching Needs and Services' adopted by local authorities.
Evidence-Based Evaluation: Experimental evaluations, cost-benefit analyses, and system modeling for child welfare, mental health, and youth development.
Early Intervention and Systemic Change: Collaborations with governments, philanthropies, and international partners like the Social System Design Lab at Washington University to promote positive youth outcomes.
Knowledge Dissemination: Development of resources, journals (e.g., Journal of Children’s Services), and partnerships like Research in Practice to bridge evidence and frontline practice.

Activities at this campus emphasize harnessing lived experience, cutting-edge evidence, and design thinking to foster thriving futures, supporting national projects across the UK and influencing global policy.

Dartington Service Design Lab Campuses

Dartington Service Design Lab

Riverview, Dartington Service Design Lab, Dart Mills Estate, Old Totnes Rd, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0NF, UK

Dartington Service Design Lab Campuses

Buckfastleigh Campus

Research and Design Officer