What is a changemaker

What is a changemaker?

There are numerous descriptions and definitions of the term changemaker throughout literature and research. A common characteristic is to describe what makes a changemaker through either specific competencies or attributes.

The inspiration in Digital Learning Across Boundaries 2 (DLAB2) for understanding what a changemaker is, derives from the changemaker movement Ashoka which is a global movement that aims to promote changemaker attributes and social innovation within higher education. Northampton University, one of the partners in DLAB2, is an Ashoka inspired institution.

Inspired by the changemaker movement there is an element of wanting to have an impact, of purpose, of sustainability and stewardship for Earth, the arts and community. This embraces personal learning influencing societal change. The Changemaker movement has much in common with entrepreneurship: ' Entrepreneurship is when you act upon opportunities and ideas and transform them into value for others’ (The Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship).

Changemakers:

• act upon opportunities and transform them into value for others

• want to look after the Earth, the arts and their communities

• are driven by partnering with others, getting creative and developing solutions

• are comfortable out of their comfort zone and understand the value in being proactive

In DLAB2, researchers from Northampton University have written an article in which they, among other things, examine and discuss what being a changemaker means. They recognise the complex nature of changemaking and state that changemaking can be defines as a process of designing, refining, implementing and evaluating an innovation that derives from a problem or a challenge in today’s society and which requires an innovative solution (Whewell, Caldwell, Garrett & Malloch, 2021). In addition, the researchers identify several attributes connected to being a changemaker, e.g., project management, persuasion, teamwork and leadership as well as empathy, creativity and reflection (Whewell, Caldwell, Garrett & Malloch, 2021).

For further reading on changemakers in DLAB2:

Whewell, E., Caldwell, H., Garrett, B. & Malloch, G. (2021). Digital Learning Across Boundaries (DLAB): Immersive technologies supporting changemaking in an international context. Research in Education and Learning Innovation Archives, 27,19--32. 10.7203/realia.27.18019

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-mcelroy/the-makers-movement-what-is-a-changemaker_b_8982996.html

https://ashokau.org/

As a part of the data-gathering and reporting in the project, the students have made a number of "DLAB-talks" - TED-talk inspired videos - where they have reflected on various aspects of the project. Below you find an example of a student's reflection on what makes a changemaker.

What is a changemaker like?