What will I learn on this module?
You will be introduced to key knowledge, processes, practices and mindsets of design-led responsible innovation and its value within responsible business models. By learning about human-centred design thinking and humanity-centred design you will be able to understand how concepts of responsible innovation are constructed in different contexts and what this means for practice.
You will tackle innovation projects, working in teams, responding to real-world challenges. During these projects you will be coached, supervised and challenged as you learn how best to contribute your knowledge and expertise within a design-led responsible innovation process. You will learn about different forms of innovation and design-led co-creation, by practicing:
Empathise: research to understand complex situations and different stakeholders needs.
Define: synthesising research and insight emerging from it to define opportunity spaces and articulate clear problem statements.
Ideation: using creative tools and techniques to produce, cluster, develop and evaluate ideas and their fit to opportunity space criteria.
Prototype: developing concepts or concept elements through low fidelity communications.
Test: engaging different audiences in dialogue to gain feedback about emerging concepts.
Unpack: reviewing in a collaborative manner the quality of the design thinking work and individuals’ continuing development needs.
How will I learn on this module?
In this module you will learn through a combination of seminars, workshops and project supervision sessions. Seminars will be used to introduce core concepts and encourage discussion and debate. Most of your teaching sessions will be located in the university’s Responible Innovation Hub (Reln), a highly interactive, creative and thought-provoking studio space.
Directed learning will allow you to complete a design thinking processes in virtual and/or studio environments where you will work on a team project. This will allow you to practice responsible design-led innovation within the context of an enterprise, applying and testing the theory, knowledge, and concepts that you have learnt. Project supervision sessions will provide ongoing feedback on performance and support project progress as tutors challenge and coach you.
Working within a team of your peers tackling a problem through design-led innovation you will be encouraged to adopt a reflective practice to underpin your learning.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by a team of academic experts in scheduled seminars and project supervision sessions. You will engage in a rich dialogue with tutors (and fellow students) in timetabled sessions and receive regular feedback on ongoing work giving you the opportunity to respond directly as part of the process. You will keep a record of project activities and encounters to enhance both your skills and intellectual understanding and also to develop your Portfolio of Practice.
This module is constructed through a series of critical enquiries that enable students, academics and researchers to work together to practice design-led innovation that delivers impactful solutions and new knowledge. Through an innovation project you will work as part of a community to enhance practice excellence while responding to complex challenges. You will be supported by the academic team in understanding how to create the assessment Portfolio of Practice and what evidence you need to collect during the semester in support of your assignment.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
Critically evaluate design-led innovation theory and approaches and how responsibility is conceptualised and applied in practice. [MLO1]
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Utilise a range of media to professionally communicate compelling proposals for change. [MLO2]
Apply responsible design innovation for global business, responding to multiple internal and external considerations, concerns and priorities. [MLO3]
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
Develop curiosity and the creative confidence required to enable responsible design-led co-creation and critical enquiry. [MLO4]
How will I be assessed?
There will be two submissions for this module.
(1) A 2000-word personal portfolio of practice illustrating your design-led responsible innovation projects and your critical reflections on that practice. [MLO1, MLO3 and MLO4]
Verbal formative feedback will be provided during supervised studios and project reviews. Written summative feedback will be provided including supported by a feedforward tutorial.
(2) A 20 minute team presentation and 10 minute discussion of your major project process and outcomes. [MLO2]]
Feedback will be provided as an immediate response to the presentation. Written summative feedback will be provided including supported by a feedforward tutorial.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
During this module you will be introduced to and undertake design-led responsible innovation practice. You will develop a detailed understanding of the principles and a range of approaches to innovation practice, through the phases of: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, test and unpack. You will learn about the range of methods and resources that support design-led innovation practice and be encouraged to challenge and adapt them within a Global Business lens.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
Department Newcastle Business School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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