Beez Fadia: Striving for inclusiveness of different communities

I am the co-founder of Works For All (worksforall.org), an organisation that supports services to be more inclusive and meet the needs of different communities through research, analysis and design. We use tools like systems thinking, co-production and design thinking to help organisations to truly understand problems and design equitable and meaningful solutions.

Despite my work within the field of social innovation, I have often felt a need to deepen my theoretical understanding of social change.

From the outset, the MSt in Social Innovation appealed to this desire. It provides a solid grounding in history, frameworks and research whilst also providing insight into how to blend theory with practice.

The curriculum’s core modules of organising for social change, leadership in social innovation, social innovation in practice, and research methodologies builds a solid base that appeals to both my academic ambitions and practitioner sensibilities.

These topics provide a comprehensive framework that is immediately applicable to my work. However, what has been most transformative for me so far has been the opportunity to learn alongside both an inspiring cohort of students and faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields.

I am currently halfway through the first year of study and yet already, the first 2 modules, focusing on organising for social change and leadership in social contexts, has directly impacted my approach to social innovation at Works For All. I have applied theoretical insights and case studies from the course in our service delivery, project outputs and meetings and interactions with clients. The real-world application of the course content is exemplified in how an exercise set by Virginia Leavell on large language models has led to me exploring a new social change venture, This Chat Helps (thischathelps.com).

To judge this course on the content alone does not do it justice. The interactions with my peers – each a leader in their own right – have been as enlightening as the modules themselves. The course community of current and past students, fellows and faculty, is diverse, active and vibrant. It is a network of innovative thinkers and doers, providing the potential for future collaborations as well as long-lasting friendships.

Reflecting on my journey partway through this programme, I am energised by the knowledge and experience gained thus far and I am looking forward to the upcoming modules. The future topics on social innovation in practice and research methodologies, will further fortify the foundations of both Works For All and This Chat Helps.

For anyone considering a path in social innovation, whether you are at the inception of your career or a seasoned social innovator, the MSt in Social Innovation offers invaluable resources. The course stands out not just for its academic rigour but for its commitment to fostering a community of energised practitioners.

For me, the MSt in Social Innovation is more than just an academic programme – it is an opportunity to transform a desire for social innovation into actionable, impactful realities. It is a journey that I highly recommend, one that inspires and equips you with the confidence and ability to drive social change forward effectively.