Parsons’ DESIS Lab established New York City as the primary focus for investigation to be carried out through the following action plan:

1. Investigate Social innovation phenomenon in NYC
Phenomenological approach: case collection of bottom-based, middle-down and policy level.
Expected outputs are:
• Map of social innovation in NYC territory.

2. Analysis of the social innovation phenomenon through complementary disciplines:
• Design (strategic and service design and communication);
• Non-profit management and urban policy;
• Sociology, anthropology, social psychology;
• Environmental studies, urban ecology.
Expected outputs are:
• Definition of interpretative filters and qualitative criteria of social innovation in NYC;
• Identification of potential areas for action.

3. Amplification of social innovation through design
Empirical experimentation process starting with the identification of actors interested in experimenting with amplification techniques, gather and codification of service and strategic design methods and tools and actual implementation of such methods with the identified actors.
Expected outputs include:
• Codification of the results of experimentation, analysis and diffusion to general public, scientific community and expert audiences;
• Outreach and policy recommendation.