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.
Help Make Alberta's Social Economy Visible
Across Alberta, its social economy strengthens communities, creates jobs, drives innovation, and addresses complex social, cultural, environmental, and economic challenges. Help build evidence to shape policy and investment through the 2026 Social Enterprise and Non-profit Survey.
Notable Events
ISIRC 2026
The International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) brings together practitioners, policy makers, and scholars interested in social innovation and entrepreneurship.
For the first time, ISIRC will be held in Asia, hosted by Duy Tan University in the costal city of Da Nang.
Social Impact Starter Series
The Social Impact Starter Series is an interactive workshop series for social innovators to build skills, confidence, and strategies to create meaningful and sustainable change.
The series is for anyone looking to gain practial, hands on learning to move an idea from concept to action.
Social Innovation Stories
Chart of the Week: Global EV adoption outpaces North America (No. 2)
Seen from Canada and the U.S., electric vehicle adoption looks sluggish. Zoom out, however, and the picture changes: the North American view masks much faster uptake around the world.
Chart of the Week: Heat pumps are taking off in Atlantic Canada (No. 1)
Ottawa wants up to 1.1 million more homes to switch. In New Brunswick, nearly half already have.
Announcing the Electricity Centre at the University of Calgary
Supporting Canada in the Age of Electricity
podcast
Now Innovating: Preventing youth violence and bullying across Canada
UCalgary hosted knowledge mobilization hub utilizes a transdisciplinary approach
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.