WHAT WE DO
The world faces a diversity of challenges across many domains—social, environmental and material, for example.
A "changemaker" is broad term for anyone who has the motivation, efficacy and opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and to address its challenges.
Based primarily at Stanford University, we are an interdisciplinary team of researchers who aim to understand the processes and programs that cultivate changemakers. We call such programs and processes "metachangemaking".
A "changemaker" is broad term for anyone who has the motivation, efficacy and opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and to address its challenges.
Based primarily at Stanford University, we are an interdisciplinary team of researchers who aim to understand the processes and programs that cultivate changemakers. We call such programs and processes "metachangemaking".
HOW WE DO IT
Our research is comprised of three main elements, with different researchers working on different elements.
RESEARCH MEETINGS
First, we meet every two weeks to discuss current projects, to track progress and to coordinate our next actions. We also discuss any new questions or ideas that people have about metachangemaking.
THE METACHANGEMAKING DATABASE
Second, we are assembling a comprehensive database about educational programs to make changemakers. The database contains information about programs around the world, capturing key information about how different programs cultivate changemakers. To do this, we work with different organizations to understand their vision and the methods by which they aim to achieve it.
THE METACHANGEMAKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
Third, we are building an annotated bibliography of research about metachangemaking. This contains information across disciplines about ideas and evidence regarding how to make changemakers. Topics include, for example, how to foster the motivation to make a positive impact and the capabilities necessary to be an effective changemaker. To this end, we draw on both contemporary forms of research (such as experimental studies) as well as historical case studies.
RESEARCH MEETINGS
First, we meet every two weeks to discuss current projects, to track progress and to coordinate our next actions. We also discuss any new questions or ideas that people have about metachangemaking.
THE METACHANGEMAKING DATABASE
Second, we are assembling a comprehensive database about educational programs to make changemakers. The database contains information about programs around the world, capturing key information about how different programs cultivate changemakers. To do this, we work with different organizations to understand their vision and the methods by which they aim to achieve it.
THE METACHANGEMAKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
Third, we are building an annotated bibliography of research about metachangemaking. This contains information across disciplines about ideas and evidence regarding how to make changemakers. Topics include, for example, how to foster the motivation to make a positive impact and the capabilities necessary to be an effective changemaker. To this end, we draw on both contemporary forms of research (such as experimental studies) as well as historical case studies.
KEY OUTCOMES
The project is working towards three major outcomes.
REPORT ON METACHANGEMAKING
The first is the distribution of a report to summarizes the state of metachangemaking. It would describe different approaches to metachangemaking, and would highlight the success and challenges encountered by these approaches. It would also suggest future directions, both for future researchers and for practitioners of metachangemaking—that is, teachers, coordinators and others working at the grass-roots.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
The second is the distribution of our annotated bibliography. Practitioners and researchers of metachangemaking would hopefully find it a useful compendium of information about a diversity of topics.
COLLABORATION ON PROJECTS
The third is collaboration on other projects to develop or implement specific models of metachangemaking, to be pursued at a later stage.