Social Innovation

What is Social Innovation?

Social innovation (SI) is a process by which people and teams collaborate to design and create transformative solutions to systemic social and environmental challenges.

At the Taylor Center, we believe the skills and mindsets of social innovation are valuable for people from all backgrounds to learn and apply throughout their lives and work. We define changemakers broadly as “people who use their skills, expertise, gifts, and power in a way that creates positive social change,” recognizing that we all have a role to play in shaping a more just and equitable world. Our scholars embrace a full spectrum of social innovation models that draw from many different theoretical and practical traditions (Murphy, Schoop, Faughnan, and Flattley, 2021). We welcome diverse values and approaches to changemaking that can contribute to transformative systems change.

The TAYLOR Approach

We empower teams and organizations to

Understand complex issues from multiple perspectives
Explore diverse strategies and pathways to systems change
Act in a way that aligns with their values, leverages their unique strengths, and demonstrates awareness of their relationship within the system
Build relationships with a supportive network of place-based changemakers to enhance their learning and impact

A woman in a rust-colored floral dress stands while speaking to a group seated at a round table during a professional event with a sign titled "Pixgaurd AI" on the table. A woman with curly hair and glasses, wearing a black t-shirt, listens attentively with her hands on the table. Next to her, a man in a gray suit and blue checkered shirt sits with his hands clasped. Another woman in a white blouse sits nearby, partially turned, with food and a drink in front of her. The table is decorated with papers, green folders, and a vase of white flowers. The setting is bright and collaborative.

KREWE School

KREWE School is a cohort-based program that empowers teams to d eepen their social and environmental impact. Participating teams engage in peer-based learning, redesign their theories of change, explore systemic issues, and leverage human-centered design to amplify their impact over an extended period of time.

Our next application will open in 2025; if you’re interested in learning more contact us.

APPLY

Coverage of the first annual Professional Development Day on the uptown campus of Tulane. The event was initiated by the Learning and Organizational Development Department which builds a foundation for a learning culture by focusing on enhancing competencies and behaviors needed to support Tulane’s mission and key objectives.

Social Innovation Publications

Staff Contact

Dr. Maille Faughnan

Professor of Practice and Associate Director for Social Innovation

Email:

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