Design Thinking in Research Implementation
- Dr. Edmund Ukwuru
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
What if your research was not only brilliant but also ready for the real world? Design thinking allows researchers to move from abstract concepts to practical innovations. It is the distinction between having a groundbreaking theory and providing a usable solution. This approach can help us finally close the gap between knowledge and application.
The Problem
Great research often fails—not because it’s wrong, but because it’s hard to implement. Researchers spend years developing evidence without ever talking to the people who will use it. As a result, brilliant ideas stall in the “last mile” of innovation.
As a result, innovative ideas can stall in the “last mile” of translation into real-world solutions.
Academia typically does not prepare us to think like designers. The emphasis is often on theoretical truth rather than practical usability. However, without considering adoption from the beginning, even the most exceptional ideas can end up gathering dust.
Design thinking emerges as a crucial element by providing tools to create solutions that are not only evidence-based but also aligned with actual user needs.
The Possibility
Design thinking has already reshaped how researchers are turning insights into impactful actions.
Consider Dr. Nneka Mobisson, who transformed her research on maternal health into mDoc, a mobile platform offering digital health coaching in Africa. This innovative app, through design thinking and user testing, now serves over 50,000 users, showcasing how academic insights can directly benefit the community.
Or look at the team behind MedSync, a low-cost app designed to remind patients to take their medications. By applying behavioral research in pharmacy adherence, they created a solution that improved medication compliance by 30%. They took a hands-on approach, building prototypes and testing them with users, refining their designs based on real feedback.
These researchers embraced an approach that blends the visionary spirit of Tesla with the practical methods of Edison. They developed prototypes, solicited user feedback, and continuously refined their offerings. They did not wait for an ideal situation; they designed for the world as it is.
The Solution
At the Translational Research Forum, you will explore how to integrate design thinking throughout your research life cycle, from brainstorming to execution.
Key sessions include:
🧠 “Designing Research with End Users in Mind”
🔧 “Prototyping for User-Centered Design”
These sessions will equip participants with the skills necessary to create research that is not only academically sound but also directly applicable in real-world settings.
Call to Action
Be the researcher who builds, not just writes. Like Tesla with Edison’s grit—brilliant and bold. 👉 [Register now] for the Translational Research Forum and learn how to design research that actually works in the real world.
Comments