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.
Upcoming Fall 2025
Social Impact Starter Series
Workshops focused on moving ideas into real-world impact. This five-part series supports the development of essential soft-skills and provides practical tools and insights on a range of topics, including communication, articulation, storytelling, connection generation, public speaking and more.
Translate Research to Action (TR2A)
The Translate Research to Action service offers supportive coaching for researchers, graduate students, and staff to begin their social innovation journey.
Explore your own 'walking path' while accessing a supportive ecosystem to sandbox concepts without a financial cost or time-bound schedule.
Social Innovation Stories
UCalgary nursing researchers develop trauma and resilience training for frontline workers in ERs
Evidence-based intervention emerged from a six-year study of mental health care in a Calgary hospital’s emergency department
Building a global network for change: Sadiq Gulma’s vision for social innovation
UCalgary-hosted ISIRC 2025 offers PhD students and early career researchers a platform to advance social impact through collaboration and mentorship with a new colloquium
Social innovation shines as UCalgary becomes global stage
International conference showcasing world leaders in social innovation comes to Western Canada for first time
UCalgary research receives $36.6M in federal funding
Funding will support scholars across campus in their pursuit of research and innovation excellence
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.