Five years ago, ABSI released a report on the ‘future of Social Innovation.’ That report was based on interviews with many of the leaders of social innovation in the province at the time, as well as survey questions sent out across the network of innovators and changemakers gathered by ABSI. The report identified a number of interesting similarities in the work faced by innovators across the province, and suggested a number of pathways forward into the future of social innovation in Alberta.
Now - compared to when this report was released - we’re in the future. This begs some questions: what's changed? What is still true from our 2016 report? Where are we as a province of innovators and changemakers? How has the pathway forward shifted? What seems to work well? What needs shifting? And most importantly, how might we evaluate what’s been working so far to help guide, adjust and influence the work of ABSI and the ways we work together using social innovation tools across the province?
To help us answer these questions and to spark conversation about what’s next across the province, ABSI is asking you for your help. We want you to let us know your thoughts on what’s changed in the last five years. We have recruited the help of student interviewers to dig deep with changemakers and innovators across Alberta to better understand the trends we are all facing.
Who do we want to talk to?
We want to talk to you! We’re looking to connect with our existing network of innovators, but we also want to hear from anyone who has ever experimented with an idea to try and make a difference in the province, or help make a difference for people or the planet. We want to connect with the professional Social Innovators, the brand new changemakers, and the people who see a problem in front of them and can’t help but do something about it. If you participated in our research five years ago, we’d love to hear what you think has changed since then. If you’ve just started as a changemaker, we’d love to hear your fresh ideas and perspectives.
Get Involved
There are two ways to take part in the research which will form the core of our report on Social Innovation in Alberta. First, you can sign up for a video interview with our research team by following this link. These interviews will help us see trends, tendencies and tensions that affect everyone using social innovation tools across the province. Your responses will be reported in aggregate (as a whole), unless we get your permission to spotlight your work as an example.
The other option, should you prefer to answer at your own pace, is to follow this link and give us your thoughts in writing. This can be completed anonymously, should you prefer.
For more information, to chat about the research and how we plan to use it, or to talk shop about anything social innovation, please reach out to Babs Weber, who is always happy to talk over tea.
About the Research Students:
Kelly Ball
Hello folks, it is my pleasure to introduce myself to the ABSI Connect community. I am Kelly, a Social Work Student from Mount Royal University. I have joined the team as a practicum student conducting research. I am excited to contribute to such an amazing organization, network with influential people and gain fundamental knowledge from the experience. I look forward to engaging and building connections with the community.
Tara Laverdure
Tara Laverdure (they/them) is a first year university student at Mount Royal, currently working towards a Social Work Diploma. They are interested in being a part of systemic change across Alberta with a focus on anti-oppression and anti-racism. Either through advocacy or social events they spend a lot of time with community. For self-care, Tara is a beginner fiber artist, and a proud plant parent.