Designing for Behavior: Why Adoption Determines Impact
Event Description
We invest heavily in programs, technologies, and innovations—but impact ultimately depends on something far simpler and harder: whether people actually change what they do.
This session puts behaviour at the center of systems change. Why do promising solutions fail to translate into sustained outcomes? Why do people disengage, drop off, or never adopt interventions in the first place?
We will explore how to move beyond designing for participation toward designing for persistence and real-world adoption. This includes integrating behavioural insights into implementation, understanding the social and cultural dynamics that shape decision-making, and recognizing that outcomes are driven by human action—not program outputs.
The discussion will also examine how behaviour change can be measured more meaningfully, shifting from tracking activity to understanding sustained shifts in practice. Particular attention will be given to applications in areas like women’s health and low-resource environments, where adoption challenges are often most acute.
Bringing together practitioners, funders, and designers, this session will challenge participants to rethink how impact is defined—and how it is actually achieved.
Speakers
Ifeanyi Nsofor is Co-founder, Africa Behavioral Science Network, advancing health equity through behavioral science, digital innovation, and locally led solutions.
Ira Guha is Founder at Asan, expanding access to safe, reusable menstrual health solutions for underserved women at scale.
Janine Teo is CEO at Solve Education!, designing AI-driven learning systems that connect education to employment for underserved youth.
Sarah Cunningham is CEO at MAGENTA, leading innovative behavioral change communication through scientific rigor and technology.
Philip Kao is Executive Director at Appleseed, helping social enterprises and nonprofits drive adoption of impactful products and services through behavioral insights.
Discussion Questions
Why do so many well-designed solutions fail to achieve sustained adoption?
What does it mean to design for persistence rather than participation?
How can behaviour change be measured beyond outputs and short-term indicators?
What role should funders play in prioritizing adoption and long-term engagement?
Location & access
Accessibility matters deeply to us, and we do our best to choose spaces that reflect that. That said, some of our Oxford venues are in historic buildings without lifts. This room is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users, those with mobility challenges, or anyone needing step-free access.