Catalyzing Use-Inspired Research: The Launchpad Working Group
The Launchpad Umbrella Working Group created resources and opportunities for researchers and practitioners to learn about Use-Inspired Research and Education. Their efforts were aimed at bridging knowledge gaps, providing practical tools, and inspiring actionable innovation in the field.
Building Knowledge: Launchpad Learning Modules
At the core of the initiative is a series of five comprehensive Launchpad Learning Modules, designed to introduce use-inspired research practices and offer concrete examples of best practices for implementation. These modules, a combination of videos and text-based materials, were made available here, on the Building Use-Inspired Bridges Substack platform. By providing accessible and engaging content, the modules help demystify complex concepts and equip participants with the tools needed to bring use-inspired research into their work.
As of December 2024, the modules had garnered significant attention, with a total of 579 views across the five posts. The most popular post, titled "Overview of Launchpad Learning Modules," received 165 views alone, highlighting the growing interest and demand for resources in this area.
Live Engagement: Launchpad Webinar
To further extend its reach and foster direct interaction with the community, the Launchpad working group hosted a live webinar on October 28, 2024. This event provided an overview of strategies for exploring use-inspired research partnerships and shared actionable best practices. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts, engage in discussions, and connect with like-minded professionals invested in advancing collaborative and impactful research.
Current members of UWG #3: LaunchPad include Alan Paul (team lead), Chris Buser, Josephine Kershaw, Heidy Contreras, Widodo Samyono, and Sara Werner.
Work related to this post was funded under NSF Grant #FAIN-2309541.