Transforming Higher Education With Human-Centred Design

Encouraging a collaborative and thoughtful approach to the wicked problems facing higher education (HE), this book is a showcase of pioneering educators who believe that well-designed education is good for everyone - learners, teachers, education administrators, the learning organisation and the world.

Through case studies, thought pieces and practical advice, this book takes a fresh look at the application of Design Thinking and Service Design in a variety of university contexts. Human-centred design perspectives show up the fact that decades of rhetoric about student-centred learning have often left the student still effectively marginalised from change processes. The reader will encounter ample tools and techniques of design and co-creation that can enhance the student experience, from applicant to alumnus. More importantly, the book sets out, in actionable ways, how we can make our universities more effective at supporting students for success, and to become places where people are more empowered to make those changes.

University academics, learning support staff, managers and professional staff, as well as HE policy makers and professional bodies, will appreciate this clear and practical guide to exploring service design in the new context of education.

Radka Newton

Radka’s personal experience of being an international student contributed to her professional calling to ensure that as educators we create challenging yet attainable education environments. As a continuous improvement and service excellence scholar, she has grown a significant expertise in combining executive coaching, organisation change practice and service design. Radka is a Personal Chair in Management Education and Innovation and a co-founder of the Service Design in Education network.

Jean Mutton

Following a degree in Educational Research, Jean began a career in Higher Education academic administration where she managed many Registry and Faculty-based administration teams, covering the student journey from Admissions to Graduation. Since 2015, Jean has been working as a consultant across the sector, using human-centred design for process improvement to enhance the student and staff experience. Jean is a co-founder of the Service Design in Education network.

Michael Doherty

Michael is Professor of Law, and Associate Head of the Law School, at Lancaster University. He is co-author of Public Law (3rd edn, Routledge 2023). He is active in legal education scholarship, co-created the Connecting Legal Education online community, and is a former Chair of the Association of Law Teachers. Michael’s work in legal and service design encompasses education, cultural studies and disciplinarity. He is the founding editor-in-chief of Legal Design Journal.