Design for Policy

Christian Bason is Chief Executive of the Danish Design Centre (DDC), which works to strengthen the value of all forms of design in society. Before joining DDC, Christian headed MindLab, a cross-governmental innovation lab, and the public organization practice of Ramboll Management, a consultancy. Christian is also a university lecturer, and has presented to and advised governments around the world. He is a regular columnist and the author of four books on leadership, innovation and design, most recently Leading Public Sector Innovation: Co-creating for a Better Society. Christian holds an M.Sc. in political science from Aarhus University, executive education from Harvard Business School and the Wharton School, and is a doctoral fellow at Copenhagen Business School.

• Design for Policy

'This book masterfully combines cutting-edge research, findings from practice, and real-world examples of how design approaches are being used to improve societal outcomes across the globe. It introduces new avenues for pursuing design-based policies and is an essential resource for anyone exploring social innovation and design processes as a tool for meaningful public sector reform. Christian Bason has successfully delivered a volume that captures the essence of design and social innovation in policy development and offers useful lessons for those faced with the challenge of serving in the twenty-first century.' Jocelyne Bourgon, President, Public Governance International 'Design for Policy is a valuable and fresh insight into policymaking. It underscores the urgent need to bring design to the very heart of modern public policy. Through highly pertinent and illuminating examples from a variety of fields, this book shows that it is possible to transform the policy making process and make it much more innovative. I hope that policymakers across Europe will read it, so that they can become policy designers - and we can shape together the future we aspire to.’ Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner, Research, Innovation & Science ’Can design improve the ways we address such 'super-wicked' challenges as climate change, energy precarity, or public health? It's a big ask, but this highly intelligent book makes a convincing case. Its succinct case studies show the ways that design has become a powerful tool for public administrations around the world. Design for Policy does not over-promise. Its clear and well-balanced texts illustrate the potential but also the limits of design when societal issues are massive, integrated and highly complex - all at the same time. Design, it emerges, is helping to drive transformation in the ways we govern. This important book marks a shift in models of public policymaking: from problem-solving, to envisioning; from service d