GI7034 - Public Service Design and Innovation (2021/22)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2021/22 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Public Service Design and Innovation | ||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2021/22(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of:
1. Conventional and co-productive policy development approaches
2. Challenges of Complexity, design and governance in public services
3. Design thinking in policy making and public sector innovation
The aim of the course is to develop an understanding of the role of design thinking in assisting public and non-for profit sector transformation.
Syllabus
Complexity, design and governance LO1,LO2
Conventional policy design – issues and limitationsLO1
Co-productive policy design approachesLO2
Design thinking (User research and problem framing)LO2,LO3
Design Thinking (Ideation and prototyping)LO2,LO3
Design Thinking (User testing and evaluation)LO2,LO3
Technological disruption and public service innovationLO3,LO4
Collaboration in inter-processional and inter-disciplinary contexts LO3,LO4
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The course material is studied through a independent study and practice based workshop in which students will have to work in groups. The module will make extensive use of Weblearn and will facilitate interactions with non-for-profit and public sector organisations. The module will be delivered in conjunction with a practioner / professional partner and will run as a one week intensive block in the summer period.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate critical awareness of the limitations of conventional policy design approaches. [LO1]
2. Demonstrate systematic understanding and critical appreciation of the challenges and opportunities offered by co-productive and design thinking based policy design models. [LO2]
3. Demonstrate critical engagement with and sound application of the user centred based methodologies in understanding issues and gaps in public services. [LO3]
4. Work collaboratively across disciplines and professions to ideate solution to problems, demonstrating a creative approach to problems solving [LO4]
Assessment strategy
Assessment is by a Practical Group Portfolio Deck, submitted 3 weeks after the end of the block teaching week. Students will have to work on producing a portfolio:
Part A (Slide Deck):
• understanding of the problem (user research)
• thought process in ideating for a solution
• prototyping
• plan for user testing and evaluation
Part B (Critical Reflection 1,500 words):
• a critical reflection of how design thinking and its associated methodologies can support effective public service transformation
Bibliography
Core:
Durose, C & Richardson, L. (2016) Designing public policy for co-production. Thorey, practice and change, Bristol: Policy Press
Basson, C. (2017) Leading Public Design, Bristol: Policy Press
Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Weinberg, U. (2009). Design thinking. Landsberg am Lech: Mi-Fachverlag.
Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Leifer, L. (Eds.). (2010). Design thinking: understand–improve–apply. Springer Science & Business Media.
Additional:
Kimbell, L. (2011). Rethinking design thinking: Part I. Design and Culture, 3(3), 285-306.
Bason, C. (2010). Leading public sector innovation: Co-creating for a better society. Policy Press.
Ayres, S. (2014) Rethinking Policy and Politics. Reflections on contemporary debates in policy studies