AUTHENTIC RESEARCH

About The Lab:

Research rooted in community voice.

What We Do

Ednium partners with metro area institutions, organizations, and decision-makers to lead community-centered research that captures authentic alumni perspectives. Through fee-for-service or grant-funded projects, we source and elevate alumni voice to directly drive strategic action, ensure long-term alumni support, and strengthen partnerships aligned with our mission.

Design Labs

Our flagship community research process, the Design Lab, brings together alumni ages 18-35 to reflect on their educational experience and reimagine a better future for public education.

Launched in 2019 with more than 150 Denver Public Schools alumni, the inaugural Design Lab combined alumni storytelling, stakeholder interviews, and surveys to identify a bold set of community priorities. These priorities serve as Ednium’s “north star” for systems change.

Financial Security

Young alumni are financially secure when they have the knowledge and resources to manage their day-to-day finances – including managing debt and unexpected shocks– and are on track to achieving long term financial goals.

Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Young alumni experience physical and mental wellbeing when they feel positively about their physical health and mental health, and can navigate to environments that promote their health.

Quality Relationships

Young alumni have meaningful connections to others through one-and-one relationships and ties to their communities.

Sense of Purpose

Young alumni have aspirations or aims that motivate their behavior and provide a sense of meaning.

Authentic Self

Young alumni are proud of their identities and confident showing up as their full selves in the world.

School Based Design Lab Final Reports

Through School-based Design Labs, Ednium collaborates directly with students, educators, and school leaders to reimagine learning experiences within their school community. These labs create space for students to lead the conversation around what they need to thrive academically, socially, and beyond.

Click here for an overview of the first 2019 Design and Data Lab. 

Partner-Based Design Labs

In addition to our School-Based Design Labs, Ednium convenes Partner-Based Design Labs or Communities of Practice–collaborative spaces that bring together organizations that often operate in silos, creating a collaborative space to bridge the gap between K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development.

Partner-Based Design Lab Collaborations

For more information, please reach out to Elijah Huff at elijah@ednium.org