The Method

A rigorous approach to social change

Many people reach a point in life when they realize that society isn’t fair; our human systems aren’t adequate to meet human needs.  In many cases, various injustices—poverty, violence, racism, etc.—conspire to suppress and prevent the flourishing of individuals and communities. Many people want to do something, but don’t know where to begin. Others may bravely wade in to the issues and get overwhelmed or disillusioned by their inability to see or bring about meaningful change.

The Dwight Hall Method (PDF) is designed as a guide to help anyone approach a social problem in a deliberate way. Using this template, either with a DH staff person or on your own, encourages thoughtfulness, repeated readjustment, and improvement based on results and deepening insight.  

If you have questions, or want to request a session to work through the Method, please contact Mark Fopeano.  Alternatively, you may submit a completed Dwight Hall Method (Qualtrics) to be reviewed by Dwight Hall at Yale staff.

About the Author

Lydia Burleson

Lydia Burleson served as the Communications and Alumni Engagement Associate for Dwight Hall at Yale, Center for Public Service and Social Justice from June 2021-June 2022. A first-generation low-income student from rural Texas, Lydia graduated from Yale cum laude in 2021 with a degree in English and a nonfiction creative writing concentration. During her college years, Lydia increased awareness of marginalized voices with the public writing she did for The Yale Daily News and the Yale Admissions office. Her Dwight Hall experiences included free college advising with student-led member groups REACH and Matriculate. Dwight Hall empowered Lydia to uplift other disadvantaged students and to increase access to education for people who might not have otherwise received these resources. She is currently completing an English PhD at Stanford University with a Knight-Hennessy Fellowship.