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
Passion for community and identity expression inspires undergraduate summer research project
Social work student supported through 2024 SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Award
Transdisciplinary design challenge aims to better address social disorder
Social Innovation Design Challenge brings together UCalgary science, nursing students, and industry partner
UCalgary researcher leads exploration of urban accessibility barriers across the globe
Transdisciplinary project one of 18 to receive SSHRC Insight Grants
Solutions Lab is back, announces 2024 challenge topic
Applications are open, and this year, students will tackle a topical, widespread issue
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
Watch the episode
Or listen to the episode here
Libsyn Browser | Apple | YouTube Music | Spotify
Celebrating UCeed and Social Impact with LyfeMd
Or listen to the episode here
Libsyn Browser | Apple | YouTube Music | Spotify
Multisensory Storytelling with Dr. Kathleen Sitter
Watch the episode
Or listen to the episode here
Libsyn Browser | Apple | YouTube Music | Spotify
Moving and Thriving with Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed
Watch the episode
Or listen to the episode here
Libsyn Browser | Apple | YouTube Music | Spotify
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.