Sarah Tranum

Sarah Tranum is an Associate Professor of Social Innovation Design at OCAD University and Founder/Design Strategist of TrickleUp Design. She is an expert in participatory design projects for women’s economic empowerment. She conducted a multiyear study, funded by Grand Challenges Canada (funded by the Government of Canada), focused on women’s health and women-centred production, which was based in India. Sarah has worked with diverse communities as a microfinance practitioner in the U.S. and Canada, implementing community-based, small business lending, savings, and training products.

She has collaborated with a range of international stakeholders to assess the needs of organizations and businesses and to develop systems-based solutions to complex challenges. Sarah has developed products from the ground up and is experienced at prototyping, testing, and launching into the marketplace. She received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) to engage in a systems-based women's health project in Zimbabwe.

Sarah has created and taught several courses across OCAD University’s Faculty of Design that focus on guiding undergraduate and graduate students as they imagine and develop innovative and sustainable models for using design as a tool for social change. She spearheads OCAD University’s Social Innovation Design Pathway, which includes the Design Abroad course. Design Abroad began in 2013 and has brought OCAD U undergraduate students to work in India and Costa Rica with local communities to co-design systems-based solutions that have measurable impact. Sarah is an award-winning designer, experienced community economic development practitioner, and well-respected professor for her effective social innovation curriculum.

Sarah received a Master of Design in Designed Objects degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy from the Institute without Boundaries, and her undergraduate degree in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University.