It's time to change the way we do knowledge work!

Changemakers are often overwhelmed, disappointed, or even frustrated with traditional forms of assessment, evaluation, and social research. We sense that standard approaches don't align with change and even have historically hurt our communities. Now, more than ever, we want to creatively invest resources into methods that actually contribute to desired change.

That's why I created this course.

To share the shifts needed to embrace new knowledge and to help you develop the skills for embodying a more effective and even transformative way of being in knowledge work.

Together, we can get down to the business of co-creating the change that our communities envision.



This Course is for Changemakers

who want to contribute to results without feeling like they're drowning in data!

  • Grants Professionals

  • Non-profit Consultants

  • Network & Movement-Builders

  • Community Engaged Researchers

Maybe you have experienced...

  • Feeling constrained by a model imposed on how you work with communities.
  • Getting frustrated with having to collect tons of data that is rarely used in strategy decisions.
  • Feeling tired and irritated that money and time are invested into activities that don't serve to increase equity.
  • And as a result, communities miss out on the very powerful processes of shared knowledge-building that can serve to shift narratives and actually energize meaningful change.

I know that we can create a better way!

By embodying a new way of being in our knowledge practice, we can enhance equity through our knowledge work even when we are not the ones making strategy decisions. We can feel more grounded in our own method decisions and can connect more fully to the change potential


By the end of this course, you will:

  • Be able to convey what knowledge work is and why it matters to change.

  • Distinguish ways that knowledge work shows up in funded social change efforts.

  • Identify the multiple roles and opportunities associated with knowledge work.

  • Explore your own location and readiness for knowledge work that is about equity.

  • Be inspired to notice realistic entry points for transformative methods.

  • Recognize partnership opportunities for knowledge integration for equity.

How It Works

  • Self-Paced Video Lessons

    The course is delivered in 5 modules. Each module has 4 lessons and an activity for practical application of the concepts.

  • Practical Activities

    The workbook is designed to support the deepening and application of concepts included in the course.

Your Guide

Angela K. Frusciante, PhD

Dr. Angela Frusciante is principal and founder of Knowledge Designs to Change, a strategic research and knowledge practice focused on change efforts. As an engaged socio-political scholar, Angela brings more than twenty years of experience working in qualitative inquiry and evaluation across the community, nonprofit, academic, and philanthropic sectors and in local, state, and national arenas. She is dedicated to advancing equity and supporting individuals and organizations in reaching their full potential.   

Angela believes in the power of the social sector to influence larger systemic change and has an enduring curiosity for how communities activate through a shared voice and how funded change efforts inform and influence social, institutional, and policy action.  

Angela has been involved in various arenas including social contexts of education, community engagement and development, university-community partnerships, and foundation funded change efforts.  Before founding Knowledge Designs to Change, Angela served as the first “knowledge development officer” in Connecticut philanthropy where she created and managed grant and contract investments related to organizational learning, management systems, program support, and network learning partnerships and research. She established the foundation’s statewide university learning partnerships and began a network of equity scholars.

Prior to her career in philanthropy, Angela served on the faculty at Jackson State University, an HBCU in Mississippi after dedicating ten years to working in academia and nonprofit intermediaries in the Washington DC metro area.

Angela holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy, Planning, and Administration from the University of Maryland in College Park, a Masters in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.

Course Outline

  • 1

    Welcome To The Course

  • 2

    Module 1: Embodying Equity - Start With Your Why

    • Module 1 Overview

    • Lesson 1: Grounding

    • Lesson 2: Why Knowledge Matters

    • Lesson 3: Why Me And Why You

    • Lesson 4: Foundational Items

    • Activity: Planning For Success
  • 3

    Module 2: What Is Knowledge Work Anyway?

    • Module 2 Overview

    • Lesson 5: Data Myths & Truths

    • Lesson 6: The Dangers Of Strategy Buzz

    • Lesson 7: Reclaiming Knowledge Work - What's Possible

    • Lesson 8: It Is Not All About Evaluation

    • Activity: Starting Where You Are
  • 4

    Module 3: How Do We Go About Creating Change? Entry Points & Trajectory Thinking

    • Module 3 Overview

    • Lesson 9: Starting From The Buzz

    • Lesson 10: Starting From The Program

    • Lesson 11: Starting From The Call

    • Lesson 12: Starting From The Separation

    • Activity: Naming Trajectories
  • 5

    Module 4: What’s Along The Way To Success?

    • Module 4 Overview

    • Lesson 13: Ensuring Legitimacy

    • Lesson 14: Equity In Questions

    • Lesson 15: Data As Action

    • Lesson 16: Boundaries For Lived Experience

    • Activity: Appreciating Tensions
  • 6

    Module 5: What Comes Next? Moving Forward in Solidarity

    • Module 5 Overview

    • Lesson 17: Highlights To Remember

    • Lesson 18: Your Journey

    • Lesson 19: Starting Right Now From Where You Are

    • Lesson 20: Who Is Walking Along This Path Too

    • Activity: Pulling It All Together
  • 7

    Wrap Up

    • Congratulations!

    • What's Next: Engaging With Knowledge Designs To Change

    • How to Obtain KD Certification

    • KD Certification Questionnaire

    • Before You Go

    • Course Survey

Your Investment

NOTE: I would like this course to be as accessible as possible. If you are actively engaged in equity work and the fee would prohibit you from participating, please reach out to me to discuss possible partnership opportunities that could alleviate financial costs.

Testimonials

Jennifer Charleston Mursaloglu

Senior Consultant at Strategic Consulting Team

Angela pushed my way of thinking from being a knowledge consumer to a knowledge generator. Angela's mentorship led me to pursue my doctorate. Angela is passionate about equity and knowledge work and she is a great leader. She is patient and has the innate ability to explain convoluted constructs into bite-sized practical examples. Angela is a rock star and truly amazing! I am fortunate to have worked with her for so many years.

John Cusano

Project & Research Consultant at Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County

Angela’s professional expertise and deeply held values help guide and advance our collective ability to be sensitive to and deal with the complexities of these extraordinary times. I’m grateful for her creativity and knowledge and find myself counting on her always thoughtful approach. Angela takes great care with every person, idea, and action, and our team is healthier for her partnership.

FAQ

  • Who should take this course?

    This course is for anyone who is interested in, or working at, the intersection of equity and knowledge work. You may be working in any role in a foundation that is funding change efforts, or within a community serving organization that cares deeply about equity, or with a nonprofit or civic intermediary that is focused on network building and energizing movements or you identify as an engaged or action oriented scholar. This course is for you no matter your role or experience level with knowledge work.

  • How will I access the course?

    The course content is completely online. In order to purchase the course, you will create a free Thinkific account and then login to access your course. The course is self-paced so you can complete it on your own time. Once you register for the course, you will have instant access to all content including posts, videos, and downloads.

  • Are there payment plans available?

    No, full payment is required upon registration. We do want the course to be as accessible to changemakers. If you are actively engaged in equity work and the cost prohibits you from taking the course, please reach out to the course instructor directly for possible partnership opportunities.

  • Will I get my money back if I don't finish the course?

    Once you have registered and paid for the course, we are unable to offer any refunds. Please visit the course page and see the free welcome preview before registering to determine if the course is right for you.

  • How long will this course take me to complete?

    This course has been crafted to allow you to go at your own pace and practice the concepts in real life. You should allow a minimum of two hours for each module but you may want to take longer or even go back and revisit lessons or activities. You will have lifetime access to the content as long as the program is actively being offered, so you are welcome to take as long as you need.

  • What are the technical requirements?

    To complete this course, you will need internet access and audio capabilities. You can access the course on any device with internet access.

  • What if I need technical support?

    Please email Thinkific support for technical questions, and the course instructor directly for content questions.