Design Fellowship

A 10-month fellowship for faculty to conceptualize a project that leverages their research skills and scholarship to tackle a specific social problem.

The Stanford Impact Labs Design Fellowship (SILDF) is a 10-month fellowship for faculty from across all of Stanford’s seven schools. Every year, SIL supports a cohort of up to ten faculty to conceptualize a project that leverages their research skills and scholarship to tackle a specific social problem. The fellowship includes monthly cohort workshops, one-on-one mentoring from SIL’s professional staff, and a $50,000 grant.

 

A minimalist line drawing of two hands gently holding a light bulb. The bulb features a filament design inside, symbolizing ideas and innovation. The hands are open and supportive, creating a visual representation of nurturing creativity and inspiration.

“This fellowship enabled us to take a step back and critically evaluate what we believe are likely to be actually effective solutions to the social problems we care about.”

The program is designed for any Stanford faculty member who wants to establish or expand an area of impact-focused research in partnership with external collaborators. We support design fellows to engage deeply with community, public sector, and policy organizations; identify how their research can best support efforts to address a social problem; and co-design policy or programmatic solutions that are relevant, effective, and sustainable.

Through cohort sessions and one-on-one mentoring, we provide technical support and guidance on how to co-create and implement projects in partnership with external organizations; how to think about the pathway from research to impact at scale; and how to build a team able to support the practical realities of partnership and impact-oriented research projects.

To learn more, please contact Sarah Hopwood at shopwood@stanford.edu.

A close-up portrait of a woman with short, gray hair, wearing a dark blouse and a light brown cardigan. The background is a soft blue gradient. The woman is smiling and facing slightly to the side, exuding a professional and approachable demeanor.
Alyce S. Adams

Professor, Epidemiology and Population Health, Health Policy; 2025-2026 Design Fellow

A man stands confidently with his arms crossed, wearing a light blue button-up shirt. The background features warm-toned architectural elements, suggesting an outdoor or semi-outdoor setting with soft natural lighting. The environment reflects an inviting and professional atmosphere, enhancing the overall composure of the individual.
Lukas Althoff

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A woman is sitting in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books, wearing a white button-up blouse. Her hair is shoulder-length and slightly wavy. She has a watch on her wrist, and the setting suggests a cozy or academic environment. The focus is on her upper body and the inviting background of books, creating a warm and intellectual atmosphere.
Jo Boaler

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A woman with long, wavy brown hair is pictured in a professional setting. She is wearing a black top, which gives her a polished appearance. The background is a gradient of gray, contributing to the formal look of the portrait. The composition focuses on her shoulders and upper body, ideal for a professional profile or biography.
Jennifer Burney

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A woman stands outdoors in a green setting, wearing a black sleeveless dress adorned with white geometric patterns. She accessorizes with multiple necklaces, including a statement piece with a circular pendant. Intricate tattoos peek out from her arms, adding to her unique style and character. The background features soft greenery, creating a relaxed and natural atmosphere.
Ayana Omilade Flewellen

2025-2026 Design Fellow

The individual is dressed in a formal black suit with a white dress shirt and a black tie. They stand in front of a backdrop filled with greenery, creating an elegant and composed atmosphere. The lush foliage adds a touch of nature to the formal attire, enhancing the overall presentation.
Prasanna Jagannathan

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A person stands outdoors, wearing a navy blazer over a light-colored shirt. The background features a blurred urban setting with hints of outdoor seating and shaded areas, indicating a lively atmosphere. The image captures a moment of confidence and professionalism against a backdrop that suggests a casual yet vibrant environment.
​Ömer Karaduman

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A person is standing outdoors in a scenic location, wearing a navy blue cap and a light blue button-up shirt. They hold a bag over their shoulder while appearing to enjoy the surroundings. In the background, there are well-maintained gardens and an elegant building, suggesting a picturesque and tranquil setting ideal for a leisurely visit. The sunlight illuminates the scene, enhancing the vibrant greenery and architecture.
Grant Parker

2025-2026 Design Fellow

The individual is dressed in a smart brown blazer over a white shirt, set against a clear blue sky. In the background, a distinctive building with a tower can be seen, surrounded by palm trees and other lush greenery, indicating a warm and vibrant atmosphere. The setting appears to be linked to a university or a similar institution, showcasing a blend of professionalism and a picturesque environment.
William Abraham Tarpeh

2025-2026 Design Fellow

A woman stands outdoors in front of an architectural structure characterized by warm tones and intricate details. She has long wavy hair with highlights, and she is dressed in a dark blazer. The background features hints of greenery, along with elements of the building, creating a sophisticated and academic atmosphere. The image captures a moment of confidence and poise against a picturesque setting.
Madalina Vlasceanu

2025-2026 Design Fellow

Gabrielle Wong-Parodi
Gabrielle Wong-Parodi

Associate Professor, Earth System Science; 2025-2026 Design Fellow

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Michelle Wilde Anderson

Professor, Law; 2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Jade Benjamin-Chung

2024-2025 Design Fellow

Marshall Burke
Marshall Burke

2024-2025 Design Fellow; Associate Professor, Doerr School of Sustainability

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José Ignacio Cuesta

2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Chuck Eesley

2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Guilherme Lichand

2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Meghan Sumner

2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Elaine Treharne

Professor, English; 2024-2025 Design Fellow

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Geoffrey Cohen

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Maria Juarez-Reyes

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Amanda Kennard

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Susanna Loeb

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Krish Seetah

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Guillermo Solano-Flores

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Shoshana Vasserman

2023-2024 Design Fellow

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Jane Willenbring

2023-2024 Design Fellow

Nicole Ardoin
Nicole Ardoin

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Rania Awaad
Rania Awaad

2022-2023 Design Fellow; Professor, Psychiatry

Adam Bonica
Adam Bonica

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Arun Gautham Chandrasekhar
Arun Gautham Chandrasekhar

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Allison Okamura
Allison Okamura

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Eujin Park
Eujin Park

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Shima Salehi
Shima Salehi

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Mitchell Stevens
Mitchell Stevens

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Elliott White Jr.
Elliott White Jr.

2022-2023 Design Fellow

Claudia Allende
Claudia Allende

2021-2022 Design Fellow

Jeremy Goldhaber-Fiebert
Jeremy D. Goldhaber-Fiebert

Professor, Health Policy; 2021-2022 Design Fellow

Saad Gulzar
Saad Gulzar

2021-2022 Design Fellow

Ryan Matlow
Ryan Matlow

2021-2022 Design Fellow; Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Ana Raquel Minian
Ana Raquel Minian

2021-2022 Design Fellow

Melanie Morten
Melanie Morten

2021-2022 Design Fellow; Associate Professor, Economics

Petra Persson
Petra Persson

2021-2022 Design Fellow

Soledad Prillaman
Soledad Artiz Prillaman

Assistant Professor, Political Science; Faculty Director, Inclusive Democracy and Development Lab; 2021-22 SIL Design Fellow

Farzana Saleem
Farzana Saleem

2021-2022 Design Fellow

Rebecca Silverman
Rebecca Silverman

2021-2022 Design Fellow

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Nancy Ewen Wang

Professor, Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics; 2021-2022 Design Fellow

Sarah Billington
Sarah Billington

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Sarah Fletcher
Sarah Fletcher

2020-2021 Design Fellow; Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tomás Jiménez
Tomás Jiménez

Professor, Sociology; 2020-2021 Design Fellow

Ramesh Johari
Ramesh Johari

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Brad Larsen
Brad Larsen

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Irene Lo
Irene Lo

2020-2021 Design Fellow, Assistant Professor, Management Science and Engineering

Anne Joseph O'Connell
Anne Joseph O'Connell

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Alvin Pearman
Francis Pearman

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Sara Singer
Sara Singer

2020-2021 Design Fellow

Mike Baiocchi
Mike Baiocchi

2019-2020 Design Fellow

Lisa Blaydes
Lisa Blaydes

2019-2020 Design Fellow

Janet Carlson
Janet Carlson

2019-2020 Design Fellow

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Antero Garcia

Associate Professor, Education; 2019-2020 Design Fellow; Principal Investigator , Stanford History Education Group

Jeffrey Hancock
Jeffrey T. Hancock

Professor, Communication; Founding Director, Stanford Social Media Lab; 2019-2020 Design Fellow

Jackie Hwang
Jackelyn Hwang

2019-2020 Design Fellow

Steven O. Roberts
Steven O. Roberts

2019-2020 Design Fellow

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Lisa Goldman Rosas

Faculty Director, Food for Health Equity Lab; 2024-2025 Investment Advisory Council; 2019-2020 Design Fellow

Ken Scheve
Ken Scheve

2019-2020 Design Fellow

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