Despite their relevance, SSHA engagement at the SPI is constrained by two persistent barriers: low connectivity (across disciplines and sectors) and low institutional capacity (within both academia and policy systems). Structural misalignments, disciplinary silos, and underdeveloped collaborative infrastructures limit SSHA influence. However, where SSHA integration succeeds, it is driven by trusted relationships, reflexive institutional cultures, boundary-spanning actors, and co-designed partnerships.
The/La Collaborative invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral researcher position, working with an interdisciplinary team under the supervision of Dr. Sandra Lapointe at McMaster University. Applications due on June 15th, 2025.
Charities and nonprofits are trying to address some of society's most challenging problems: poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental health, and environmental degradation, to name just a few. Tackling these problems requires both innovation and systems-level change.
Under the theme “Innovation by Design”, four roundtables were organised at McMaster
between January 23rd and 26th, 2024. They engaged a total of 27 students in 90 minutes
semi-structured discussions on the role of the social sciences, humanities, and arts (SSHA)
in stimulating and advancing innovation in Canada.
We draw a picture of the current state of community-focused knowledge mobilization in Canadian SSHA and document academics’ perceptions of the practices and approaches that are meant to drive and/or end up hindering social innovation and impact.
The panel builds on emerging alignment and concertation efforts around the Canadian Forum for Social Innovation (socialinnovationforum.ca) to inform discussion on strategy and policy from the perspectives of institutional enablers in the social innovation ecosystem.
As we move beyond the linear economic model of economic growth into a circular economy paradigm informed by Sustainable Development Goals and requiring high capacity for social innovation, universities are seen as central stakeholders in transformative societal change. As such, universities’ community engagement and knowledge mobilisation mandates need to be informed by strategies that aim to make the institution an anchor of its community, contributing to all aspects of social and economic growth, and producing value for stakeholders on all sides.
While social innovation is not a new concept, as a field of practice it has matured. Social innovation approaches are designed to address complex challenges, and this capacity has increasingly attracted the attention of policy, education and research stakeholders. Global challenges and complex, wicked social problems require solutions that recognize the multiple layers of an issue and work on its root causes. As such, they require social systems innovation and the ecosystems across which these solutions are deployed need the capacity to support social innovation processes from start to finish. This much is increasingly clear.
What Skills and Knowledge do scientists require to promote an ideal of scientific integrity that is compatible with increased trust and social acceptance of science? What do we know about current practices of university-based scientists when it comes to participating in policy processes?
The aim of this workshop is to explore the amplification of a social innovation narrative for Canada and examine what organizational forms could help realize the impact we are all seeking.
Knowledge mobilization in the social sciences, humanities and arts (SSHA) is the subject of a growing body of literature and policy discussions. “Inventory of Models and Practices in Community Focused Social Sciences, Humanities
and Arts” examines the current state of community-focused SSHA knowledge mobilization, understood broadly enough to include all aspects of scholarly activity that rests on direct interactions with community partners, including but not limited to nonprofits and municipal government.
Creating the ideal conditions for campus- community innovation partnerships requires an accurate understanding of the issues at play. It requires an adequate appreciation for both the assets and the needs of social sector organizations regarding their capacity.
The Conversation Canada: Social sciences and humanities degrees can equip people for vocations that require high levels of adaptability and the capacity for continuous learning. But what is missing?
Learn more about the Future Skills Centre, and about the project that led by Dr Sandra Lapointe and Dr Brent McKnight of McMaster University that underpins Innovation for Social Impact.
A joint-venture of the Canadian Science Policy Centre and The/La Collaborative, the Forum will convene social research and innovation stakeholders across sectors with the purpose of exploring alignment on policies and practices that leverage impact-first training and knowledge mobilisation in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) to foster innovation and build capacity in the social and municipal sectors.
