How can we transform perceptions of intellectual property as a commercial asset?
Using qualitative research methods and behaviour change knowledge to identify barriers and facilitators to user engagement with web-based peer support groups and provide recommendations for enhancing this service
Innovation
Behavioural Analysis
Behavioural Design
Workshops
Context
The Mix is the United Kingdom’s leading digital mental health support service for young people aged <25 years. The Mix offers free mental health support, including a helpline, phone and webchat counseling, crisis support, discussion boards, and moderated live group chats. These synchronous group chats are freely available for young people aged 13 to 25 years.
Challenge
A city faced challenges in fostering innovation due to a limited perception of Intellectual Property (IP) as a legal obligation rather than a commercial asset. The goal was to shift this perception and create a digital platform to support businesses, inspired by global models.
Approach
Key responsibilities included, but were not limited to:
Behavioural research & analysis Designing survey and interview questions to uncover current behaviours and drivers related to IP management. Conducting a swift review of relevant literature and internal documents on IP perceptions and business innovation trends. Identifying key behavioural influences impacting the management of IP as a commercial asset.
Workshops Facilitating workshops with stakeholders to co-create strategies for repositioning IP as an essential component of commercial value. Contributing to the design of a prototype platform that promotes an asset-centric perspective on IP.
Presentation deck creation Creating a presentation deck to communicate insights, findings, and proposed solutions to stakeholders.
Outcome
The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the BCW approach and the use of the TDF and COM-B model to understand the influences on behaviour in a systematic manner, especially for mental health and well-being interventions.
The findings can be applied to design structured interventions to change behaviours related to the engagement with, and moderation of, web-based peer support groups and, in turn, improve mental health outcomes for young people.