Reflection

  1. Why are the UN SDGs relevant to 21st Century innovators, inventors and designers?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are highly relevant to 21st century innovators, inventors, and designers as they provide a comprehensive global framework for addressing complex social, environmental, and economic challenges. In an increasingly interconnected world, designers are expected to move beyond creating functional products and instead develop solutions that are sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible. The SDGs guide this process by identifying priority areas such as climate action, responsible consumption, and sustainable communities, encouraging innovators to design with long-term impact in mind (United Nations, 2015). By aligning their work with the SDGs, designers can ensure that their solutions contribute to global sustainability while also addressing local needs. In the context of this project, Sustainable Development Goal 12 highlights the importance of reducing food waste and promoting responsible consumption, demonstrating how global goals can be applied at a household level to create meaningful change.

4. Who would you ask for more feedback? Why did you choose these people?

To further strengthen this project, I would seek additional feedback from a broader range of stakeholders, including local families beyond the initial 10 participants, educators, and local council representatives. Expanding feedback to more families would provide a wider range of perspectives and ensure that the proposed solution, particularly the Family Food Waste Toolkit, is adaptable to different household contexts and routines. Educators would be valuable contributors as they can support the integration of sustainable practices within early childhood and school settings, reinforcing behaviour change from a young age. Additionally, local councils play a critical role in waste management and community education, making their feedback essential for aligning the solution with existing sustainability initiatives and policies. Engaging multiple stakeholders is consistent with design thinking principles, which emphasise collaboration and co-design to ensure solutions are relevant, inclusive, and effective (ReFED, 2022, p. 8).

6. What is the most significant skill/idea/concept you have gained this semester? Explain why.

The most significant concept I have gained throughout this semester is the importance of user-centred and context-specific design. Initially, I approached the issue of food waste from a broad, general perspective; however, through the design thinking process, I learned that meaningful solutions must be grounded in the specific experiences and behaviours of users. Collecting and analysing primary data from local households highlighted that food waste is largely driven by everyday habits, such as overcooking and forgetting food, rather than a lack of knowledge or resources. This understanding shifted my approach from proposing general solutions to developing targeted, practical interventions. This aligns with research that emphasises behaviour change as a key factor in reducing food waste (WRAP, 2020, p. 15). Developing this skill has been particularly valuable, as it can be applied to future teaching practice, where understanding children, families, and communities is essential for effective and inclusive education.

7. Why is this reflection so incredibly important?

Reflection is a critical component of the learning and design process, as it enables individuals to evaluate their thinking, identify areas for improvement, and deepen their understanding of complex issues. In this project, reflection has been essential in recognising the limitations of initial ideas, particularly the tendency to generalise the problem rather than focus on a specific context. Through reflection, I was able to refine my approach, incorporate feedback, and strengthen the alignment between research, ideation, and solution development. Reflective practice also supports the development of critical thinking and professional growth, as it encourages continuous learning and improvement. Within design thinking, reflection ensures that solutions remain responsive, effective, and grounded in real-world needs, rather than remaining static or disconnected from users (United Nations, 2015). Therefore, reflection is not only a concluding step but an ongoing process that enhances both the quality of the project and the learning experience.