Provocations & Iterations for April

This month, we're bringing you stories of what data does & doesn't tell, of finding sweet spots between user groups; moving beyond validation to idea generation; and sitting with curiosity over judgement.

Iteration: #ethnography #Grounded Data
"Some day, I'll be a leader again. I'll be a citizen again. I'll be a volunteer again. For now, I am none of these."
~ Mario

We just wrapped up our 120th ethnography. Since January, we've had the privilege to get to know adults living on the streets, isolated seniors, young people struggling with mental health, and Filipino families new to Canada. Frankly, the conflict between research and activism has never felt so real. As we build Canada's first ethnographic database, we're holding onto the question: How can data drive change?

Provocation: #r&d #capacity
Problematizing Scale #3: Process v. Products

Dive into the final installment of our popular blog series deconstructing the social sector's preoccupation with scale. We shouldn't conflate scaling solutions with enabling social impact. Because the social sector is deeply relational, the conditions under which solutions emerge are as much part of the intervention as the solution itself. That means it is the process, not necessarily the product that confers legitimacy. Read more here.

Iteration: #research #synthesis #Grounded Space
New ways of knowing, inside-out

Ownership. For organizations to shift what they do, their staff must own the reasons why. For years, we shortchanged this by doing research and design for organizations. Not anymore. In the past four months, 16 embedded researchers across 3 organizations conducted 100s of hours of ethnographic interviews and observations. Over two days, they extracted patterns and opportunities. To see this synthesis sprint in action, click here.

Provocation: #evaluation
On misuse of user satisfaction surveys in social services

What's good data? Surveys and focus groups are common ways organizations 'know' their users. But, not only is self-reporting notoriously unreliable, it can also make service users complicit in validating services that are not helping them and that may even be doing them harm. That is why we're growing organizational capacity to diversify what & how they know. Read more here.

Video: #Grounded Space #quick dive #arts
How can the arts contribute to human flourishing, part II

Watch our second short film on the Massey Theatre Quick Dive. What could it look like to blur the false divide between arts organizations & social services? How can arts spaces & practices unlock beauty and meaning in our communities? Over 10 days, we collected 17 stories of young people and families searching for connection, belonging, and healing. All to kickstart a longer term partnership. See what's emerging...

iteration: #growth #position
We're hiring a Kudoz 'mobilization curator'!

Our award-winning experience platform Kudoz hosted its fourth Growth Bash on Thursday. We're adding milestones into people's lives, and celebrating growth over fixed mindsets. Guess what? You could be part of this burgeoning team shifting outcomes for adults living with cognitive disabilities, their families, and the broader community. Find out more here and apply by April 15.

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