Grant
New project explores how design can generate greater societal impact
Associate Professor Harun Kaygan from Department of Design, Media and Educational Science receives a COST Action grant for the project “Reframing the Social Impact of Design”. The grant supports the University of Southern Denmark’s ambition to strengthen European research networks.
Design is increasingly positioned as a key driver in addressing complex societal challenges — from sustainability and health to inclusion, public policy, and digital transformation. The COST Action ReSide brings together researchers from across Europe to examine how the societal impact of design can be more effectively understood, assessed, and communicated.
The project will develop theoretical frameworks, comparative case studies, and practical tools, alongside training activities, to support more inclusive, reflective, and accountable design practices.
The programme is highly competitive: in the 2025 COST Open Call, only 7% of applications were funded, with just 80 new Actions approved across all fields.
The project will develop theoretical frameworks, comparative case studies, and practical tools, alongside training activities, to support more inclusive, reflective, and accountable design practices.
What is a COST Action grant?
COST Actions are European research networks that connect researchers, innovators, and practitioners across countries and sectors over a four-year period. They enable international collaboration through activities such as workshops, training schools, scientific exchanges, and joint project development. As such, they play a key role in strengthening research communities, supporting early-career researchers, and shaping future research agendas.The programme is highly competitive: in the 2025 COST Open Call, only 7% of applications were funded, with just 80 new Actions approved across all fields.
Meet the researcher
Associate Professor Harun Kaygan is a researcher at Department of Design, Media and Educational Science.