Advance your career

OUR STORY

Created by a practitioner—for practitioners (and future ones).

OUR STORY


Beyond Social Science was born out of a simple, persistent question:

What if we reimagined social science learning from the ground up—questioning the standards, centering inclusion, and bridging theory with practice to equip changemakers for the complex challenges of today’s world?

After over a decade working in international NGOs,
Carol Lopez Lima—founder of Beyond Social Science and long-time development practitioner—decided it was time to reimagine how we learn about the world and our role in changing it.

She saw a gap.

On one side: social science academic programs that offer powerful theories but leave learners without the tools to apply them.

On the other: online courses designed for the corporate world, forcing social impact professionals to translate content that doesn’t quite fit.

So she created something different.

Beyond Social Science is a space where theory meets action—where social justice isn’t a module, but a mindset.

It’s for the curious and committed—for professionals working in NGOs, for students seeking meaningful careers in social impact, and for anyone who wants to understand how international development really works beyond aid. 

This isn’t just about development online courses. It’s about building a community of learners who want to grow their skills, expand their impact, and reimagine what development could look like if we questioned dependency models and centered local realities.

MEET THE FOUNDER

CAROL LOPEZ LIMA
Development Practitioner. Instructor. Course Creator. 
Carol Lopez Lima has been working in international development since 2012, specializing in gender equality, education technology, project management, digital transformation, and monitoring and evaluation. Her work has taken her across the globe—to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kosovo, Iraq, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan—where she’s led digital transformation initiatives and collaborated with local teams to build systems that center equity and community ownership. Her most recent work focuses on using technology to advance women’s leadership worldwide and designing digital learning solutions that make knowledge accessible, practical, and transformative.

Carol holds a Master’s in Development Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Florida International University. She’s earned certifications in digital transformation, design thinking, leadership, and project delivery—and her academic research has explored the power of STEM mentorship for girls in Latin America.

But Beyond Social Science isn’t just built on credentials. It’s built on lived experience.

“When I started in this field, I didn’t have a background in development. I had a business degree and a deep desire to work on social change. Most of what I learned came from trial, error, and generous mentors. I created this space to be the kind of resource I wish I’d had—one that blends insight and action, academic rigor and deep reflection.”



This platform is part of a broader mission:
DEMOCRATIZE EDUCATION
To make international development and NGO careers more accessible through affordable, high-quality online learning.
Equip Practitioners
To provide tools and frameworks that reflect the realities of social change work.
BUILD A LEARNING COMMUNITY
And to build a learning community that values curiosity, inclusivity, and action.


Because in today’s world, knowing how to think critically and act intentionally isn’t optional—it’s essential.

These aren’t just online courses in social science. They’re conversations.
About power. About purpose. About the systems we work within—and the ones we’re trying to change.


     START LEARNING TODAY

When you learn with Beyond Social Science, you don’t just gain knowledge—you gain a way of thinking and leading that prepares you to:

  Navigate complex challenges with confidence.
  Lead projects with social justice, critical thinking, and innovation in mind.
  Contribute to meaningful, lasting change across sectors.
Created with