Researcher · Design Thinker · Social Impact

Asking the
right questions
first.

Mixed-method researcher with a background in design management. Eight years across education in India, mental health globally, and sustainable systems — always starting with the question before the answer.

See my work → About me
8+
Years in social impact
3
Countries worked in
$200M
Portfolio evaluated
5,000+
Children reached
How I work

Research that listens first

I blend participatory research methods with design thinking — producing evidence that changes decisions, not just reports that sit on shelves.

Participatory before extractive
Research done with communities, not on them.
Design thinking meets social science
Problem-framing rigour alongside research method.
Evidence that earns its keep
Findings shaped around: who will use this, and when?
Context shapes method
No one framework fits every situation.
Selected work

Projects & engagements

Maudsley Charity · NHS
Current
Interim Grant Manager — VCSE Portfolio
Managing 21 grassroots organisations across South London, shaping funding decisions and impact measurement aligned with NHS objectives.
Grant managementSocial valueNHS partnershipMEL
South London 2025–present

Leading a portfolio of 21 VCSE and SME organisations — synthesising partner feedback, performance data, and sector intelligence into funding strategy recommendations. Developing streamlined grant assessment processes using plan–test–learn–adapt cycles.

Driving partnership lifecycle management: capability analysis, partner onboarding, performance monitoring, and learning cycles — all aligned with NHS South London and local authority priorities.

Jisuro Mental Health
NDA
AI-Driven Social Impact Research
Mixed-method research applying AI-integrated approaches to evaluate programme effectiveness — improving mental health delivery metrics by 30%.
AI researchMixed methodsEthical frameworksCapacity building
London 2023–2025

Developed ethical, data-informed frameworks for strategic decision-making across multi-disciplinary teams. Provided expert insights aligning programme strategies with public engagement and equalities considerations.

Supported capacity building by mentoring colleagues in rigorous research methodologies and impact measurement principles. Full details available under NDA.

Prospira Global
NDA
$200M Youth Mental Health Portfolio
Mixed-method evaluations across a global philanthropic fund — co-developing Theory of Change models and donor strategy for high-net-worth funders.
Portfolio evaluationTheory of ChangeDonor strategyGlobal
UK · Global May–Aug 2024

Assessed a diverse pipeline of global and UK-based charities, producing briefings for high-net-worth donors and family offices. Managed stakeholder engagement including interviews with NGO leaders and community partners across LMICs.

Translated complex evaluation data into actionable recommendations that shaped the fund's investment decisions. Full details available in confidence.

Confidential · London Tech Venture
NDA
Sustainable Digital Identity Systems
Strategy and design research for blockchain-based lifecycle tracking — developing circular economy frameworks advancing SDGs 9 and 12.
Design researchCircular economyBlockchainSDG alignment
London Feb–Mar 2024

Conducted landscape analysis of sustainable digital product management frameworks. Facilitated design workshops on value alignment and circularity scoring.

Delivered two complete sustainable lifecycle strategy blueprints, positioning the client to lead conversations on ethical blockchain applications. Full details under NDA.

University of the Arts London
Grant
Beyond Packaging
UAL research grant project reimagining sustainable grocery shopping — systems thinking, LCA analysis, and a 2040 vision for circular packaging.
Systems thinkingLCACo-designSpeculative design
London Jun–Nov 2023

Awarded a research grant by UAL to advance this MA project. Applied mixed-method research including literature reviews, surveys, workshops, and focus groups. Used Systems Thinking to map the supermarket packaging ecosystem.

Conceptualised a 2040 vision integrating interactive packaging, retailer incentives, and blockchain-enabled supply chains — shaped by global experts across the US, Dubai, and UK.

United Effort
Digital Transformation — Education Access
Digital and social value programmes increasing educational access for 4,500+ children — framework subsequently adopted by local government.
Impact measurementDigital transformationCSRGovernment
Bangalore Jan–Jun 2022

Designed and delivered digital transformation programmes increasing educational access for 4,500+ underserved children. Developed M&E frameworks ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Secured multinational corporate CSR funding and partnered with local government and NGOs — with the programme model subsequently adopted at a government level. Details available on request.

U&I Trust
Building a Data-Driven TEACH Programme
Led MEL function for programmes serving 5,000+ children across 20 Indian cities — 200% programme growth, 80% operational efficiency gain, national award.
MEL frameworksProgramme expansionData systems20 cities
India 2017–2019

Designed and implemented mixed-method impact measurement strategies. Drove VCSE ecosystem partnerships with 40+ grassroots organisations. Implemented CRM system improving operational efficiency by 80%.

Spearheaded programme expansion in Mysore — 200% growth in children served, 220% growth in volunteer engagement. Recognised with 'Most Improved City' at U&I's 7th Annual Awards.

CometCatapult
Social Impact Programme for Young Professionals
Designed and managed a 12-month programme placing 250+ young professionals with partner NGOs — building sector capacity across India.
Programme designCurriculumNGO capacity250+ interns
Bangalore 2020–2022

Created an interactive collaborative learning platform for 250+ geographically dispersed interns. Developed curriculum focused on social impact skills and facilitation, and led all recruitment, training, and programme delivery.

Programme fostered high engagement, with interns providing vital support to NGO partners across programme management, community engagement, and strategic development.

Masters Project · UAL
Over To You — Connection Through Play
HCD-led card game tackling social isolation among international students — 50% pre-order rate at soft launch, university interest in full development.
HCDUser researchPrototypingStudent wellbeing
London Jan–Mar 2023

Applied Human-Centred Design and Agile methodologies. Conducted mixed-method user research and iterative prototyping to create a card game facilitating organic social connection — without conventional icebreaker awkwardness.

Soft launch with 30 students: 50% pre-orders, highly positive feedback on gameplay and visual design. University expressed interest in further development. Details available on request.

Some engagements are under NDA — full details available in confidence. Additional work available on request.

Beyond the work

Presence & advocacy

UN Women UK · CSW70 · March 2026
"Change doesn't happen in isolation."
Selected to participate in the 70th Commission on the Status of Women — the UN's premier global gathering on gender equality and access to justice. From supporting girls' education in India to challenging systemic barriers across communities, this is an opportunity to push for a world where women's rights are genuinely protected.
→ UN Women UK
UN Women UK
Volunteer — Monthly Community Programme
May 2025 – Present · London
Research · In progress
Ethical AI & Design — Research Paper on impacts on marginalised communities
2025–26 · Authoring
University of the Arts London
Student Ambassador — MA Design Management 2022–23
2022–23 · London
Sector Events · Regular participant
UN 2.0 Week · London Tech Week · World Design Congress · Nesta & BIT
Ongoing · London
UNITAR
Leadership Certification
Jan 2017
N
Natasha Shashikant

Strategic consultant and researcher with 8+ years across the charity, public sector, and social enterprise ecosystem — from Bangalore to London. MA Design Management from UAL (research grant recipient), currently Interim Grant Manager at Maudsley Charity (NHS) and founding Nuvora Impact.

I believe the most important thing in any research project is the question you ask before you start. That instinct — shaped by design training and deepened by fieldwork — runs through everything I do.

Mixed-method research
Impact measurement & MEL
Participatory methods
Design thinking
Theory of Change
AI-integrated research
Workshop facilitation
Stakeholder engagement
Now
Interim Grant Manager
Maudsley Charity · NHS, South London
Current
2023–25
Consultant
Jisuro Mental Health · London
Consulting
2024
Consultant
Prospira Global · $200M portfolio
Consulting
2022–24
MA Design Management
University of the Arts London
Education · Grant recipient
2017–22
Programme & Research Roles
U&I Trust · CometCatapult · United Effort · India
Permanent & Consulting
Currently founding

I'm establishing Nuvora Impact — a social impact consulting practice. If you're looking to engage a practice rather than an individual, that's where to start.

Visit Nuvora Impact →
Get in touch
Let's start with
the right question.

Working on something in education, mental health, sustainability, or social impact? I'd love to hear about it. For a consulting practice, visit Nuvora Impact.

natasha.shashikant@gmail.com LinkedIn Nuvora Impact
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