Impact
Since our inception, the Taylor team has worked to engage, equip, and collaborate with communities committed to transforming unjust systems through leveraging place-based design thinking and social innovation. Below are some of our most impactful and engaging initiatives.
Success Stories
Design Thinking Gumbo
At the height of the global pandemic, the Taylor Center hosted a series of virtual programs. facilitated by interdisciplinary thought leaders and emerging scholars, that empowered individuals in the Taylor Network to explore concepts ranging from virtual ethnography to games for social change.
Taylor Your Tulane
TAYLOR Your Tulane is a 1-credit life design lab offered by the Taylor Center through a partnership with Newcomb Tulane College (NTC). The courses uses design mindsets to teach how to create a Tulane experience that is uniquely TAYLORed to their interests and curiosities.
Changemaker Institute
Since 2016, the Changemaker Institute (CI) has supported budding social entrepreneurs interested in building a business or program with social or environmental impact. Our program unites students across Tulane who are working on a social impact business idea and provides a curriculum, framework and community to nurture ideas and provide and receive feedback and support.
Fast 48
The FAST 48 was a three day weekend training that teaches the basics of human-centered design for social impact. Through a partnership with PlayBuild New Orleans, we incorporated imaginative play and finding new uses for under-utilized urban spaces. Participants learned via short cycles of individual and group practice, including direct work in the community.
Testimonials
Pinpoint Framework founders Bee Warren and Gigi Williamson reflect on their experience with the 2022-2023 Changemaker Institute facilitated by the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation & Design Thinking at Tulane University
Piper Biotech founder Jae McKee reflects on an experience with the 2022-2023 Changemaker Institute facilitated by the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation & Design Thinking at Tulane University
Taylor News
Achievements
Past Programs
Highlighting Successes and Impactful Initiatives
Taylor Writing Retreats
Our structured, silent Writing Retreats helped participants write more and connect with other writers. We sponsored one day social innovation themed writing retreats in the New Orleans area. Faculty, staff, graduate students, community organizations, and practitioners were invited to attend. The retreats offered a supportive setting built around the “pomodoro method” with 6-8 blocks of silent individual writing, plus breaks, during the day. Learn more about how to host your own writing retreat
Conversations in Social Innovation
Conversations in Social Innovation allowed participants to connect their research with the pursuit of social innovation. Over the years Taylor has hosted several Conversations featuring faculty, local and national thought leaders, and scholars sharing their research and best practices. Read reflections from Conversations in Social Innovation.
Design Thinking Consultation Services
Over the years the Taylor Center Design Thinking Team has offered design thinking consultation to many organizations on campus and in the New Orleans community. Our most recent clients included: 826 New Orleans, Liberty's Kitchen, New Orleans Public Library, Tulane University Career Services, The Department of Theatre & Dance - Tulane School of Liberal Arts, and Xavier University.