Create positive societal change
Collaborating with faculties and community to create societal good through research and evaluation.
Social Innovation is a journey.
Social innovation is a journey that navigates the complex intersections of society's needs and creative solutions. It begins with empathy and is an iterative process that transforms ideas into sustainable practices.
We define social innovation as the intentional implementation of a transdisiplinary initiative to address a social problem enabled through collaborative action leading to new or improved capabilities and relationships with community to generate evidence-informed solutions that are more effective, efficient, just, and sustainable.
Explore how we defined social innovation for post-secondary educational institutions.
International Social Innovation Research Conference 2025
Join the 17th International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ISIRC is organized by the Social Innovation Initiative within the Office of the Vice-President (Research) Office and held at the University of Calgary from September 3-5, 2025.
ISIRC brings together academic researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from diverse fields interested in advancing social innovation and entrepreneurship from across disciplines. Join us to share learnings, best-practice, and to initiate new discussions to develop solutions to the multiple grand challenges we face.
Social Innovation Stories
More Than a Meal: How Students Led UCalgary’s Food Security Movement
From subsidized groceries to food literacy programs, this is how grassroots student efforts evolved into a campus-wide ecosystem of support, dignity, and resilience.
They’re Doing Everything Right — But Still Going Hungry
How UCalgary Alumni Are Stepping Up to Fight Student Food Insecurity this Giving Day.
podcast
Now Innovating: ‘Nursifying’ social innovation and enterprise
A conversation with Sue Crawford from the Faculty of Nursing
AI-powered style
With LEWK, UCalgary grad Sheena Virmani aims to revolutionize online shopping while navigating the innovation ecosystem
Sharing the stories of UCalgary researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact.
This series aims to inspire researchers and community partners to take new steps toward transforming discoveries into solutions, products, and services.
Hear from our Social Innovators
Supporting the mental health of first responder families
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Celebrating UCeed and Social Impact with LyfeMd
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Multisensory Storytelling with Dr. Kathleen Sitter
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Moving and Thriving with Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed
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Have questions about social innovation?
The Social Innovation Initiative is supported by the Government of Canada Incremental Project Grants. Learn how UCalgary uses the Incremental Project Grants.