A local approach to social innovation

During the last few years the United Kingdom, like many other countries, experienced significant challenges, economic uncertainty, as well as entrenched and increasingly complex social problems. Equally the institutions that were designed to cope with these problems are breaking down. How can we provide a creative environment in which socially innovative solutions are developed? The presentation will focus on the University of Northampton’s institution wide strategy around social enterprise and how this is developing from one that concentrates on developing social enterprises to a more embedded strategy that develops creative and socially entrepreneurial students. It will use the recently launched Social Venture Builder (SVB) programme as an example of a course that aims to develop the skills of the innovators and entrepreneurs. The SVB programme adopts an approach that is interdisciplinary and focused on both innovation and commercialisation. Ultimately, as a University we have to develop a creative learning environment that nurtures talent as well as engages with communities and neighbourhoods whilst connecting us with other local, regional, national and international networks.