Devika Sharma

Background

About Devika Sharma

About me I am a passionate and driven PhD student with a background in Service Design, User-Centered Design and Social Innovation. I also work at Footwork as a Researcher, exploring how to learn about the impact of investing in community-led place regeneration in the UK. Curiosity, empathy and innovation fuel my desire to explore innovative solutions that enhance user experiences and create meaningful impact in the world. Research Currently pursuing my Doctorate in Design Activism at Loughborough University, London. I have received a PhD studentship award from Technē, Arts and Humanities Research Council - Doctoral Training Partnership. I am exploring how design methods, tactics and strategies facilitate citizen participation in social change, with special emphasis on placemaking and urban development. My academic journey has exposed me to research methodologies that shape my approach to problem-solving, design thinking and innovation. I am eager to bridge the gap between theory and practice, exploring social innovation that positively influences how we shape our lived environment. Experience I am passionate about using research as a tool to learn about social impact with a focus on qualitative insights. As an experienced Service Designer and Impact Research practitioner, I have collaborated with diverse teams to develop human-centric solutions for complex challenges. My hands-on experience in this domain has honed my ability to empathise with users, anticipate their needs, and translate insights into transformative products and services; while also creating frameworks to assess impact and transformation.