HEI as a pressure cooker: crafting the secret sauce to social justice in social innovation

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on the facilitative factors that contribute to a shift in focus to social innovation for social justice in a higher education institution. The study provides lessons learned that can be takeaways for others interested in shifting their conceptualization of social innovation toward social justice.

Design/methodology/approach

Relying on a case study of social innovation at Ryerson University, the paper begins with a brief history and the later development of the Office of Social Innovation. Through a reflection on three key initiatives, the study discusses strategic planning and partnerships, student programming and communications strategy.

Findings

The reflection process provides ingredients that have facilitated the intentional grounding of social innovation offerings and practices in social justice values, including creativity, collaboration, adaptability, voice and shifting the spotlight to alternate stories and ways of understanding social innovation. The authors also discuss the role of generative conflict and contradictions.

Originality/value

This study presents a reflective case study from a public research university, which holds a prominent reputation in entrepreneurial incubators and curricular offerings. With candid reflections from faculty and staff central in strategizing the direction of social innovation, the authors present experiences, perspectives and conflicts encountered when challenging the language and application of social innovation. The result is a unique contribution on what it means to ground post-secondary social innovation in social justice, why this shift was necessary and what has come from this work.

Citation

Panitch, M., Machado, J., Courneya, J., Idrees, A. and Wehbi, S. (2022), "HEI as a pressure cooker: crafting the secret sauce to social justice in social innovation", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 218-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-10-2020-0080