Despite a plethora of media-friendly humanitarian 'design solutions', many of these seem a world away from what might actually succeed with impact in the real world. For many stakeholders, the model of such solutions being 'handed down' from a distant benefactor is an uncomfortable one, outdated and politically suspect.

It appears there's a long way to go to improve the development and delivery of appropriate and effective humanitarian products and services.

The purpose of this event is to connect researchers, designers, producers, NGOs and other stakeholders to consider how this improvement might be pursued. We'll hear from a variety of expert perspectives, and join structured discussions to explore questions of key future challenges in practice, and share knowledge of innovation methods, cultural contexts, and technological applications.

What can humanitarian NGO & /non-profits learn from design approaches, especially prototyping in lab and in field? What can we in the field of design for social impact learn from them, about real-world impact and validation?

The event will be facilitated by John Stevens, researcher and lecturer in Innovation Design, and by Bas Raijmakers and Geke van Dijk of design research consultancy STBY, and hosted in the Royal College of Art's Senior Common Room, in Kensington.

The event will photographed and recorded for potential publication. Please notify the organisers if you do not wish your name and/or likeness to be used.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there'll be an optional informal social event at the end of the day. We'll pay a short visit to the V&A Museum, the hub venue for London Design Festival, then go for dinner nearby (pre-booking required, a £20 contribution). The London Design Festival is an annual event, held to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world and as the gateway to the international creative community.