Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII)
The Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) at the University of Northampton evaluates and measures the social impact of social innovations in the UK and around the world, as well as exploring the financing of, and policy support for, social innovation. The ISII defines social impact as ‘the economic, social and environmental benefits delivered by an organisation to society’ and the Institute views social innovation as any new structure or process that enhances a society’s resources and cohesion. Crucially, the ISII is fully self-sustaining and sources its income entirely from external contracts/grants, with no core University funding provided. In this way it operates in the same manner as a socially innovative, entrepreneurial organisation!
What does the ISII do?
- Supports social innovators to develop their ideas and organisations through the delivery of cutting-edge academic research and consultancy services.
- Collaborates on multi-disciplinary research projects through internal partnerships with the University’s other research institutes and centres, as well through external partnerships with other universities and organisations.
- Evaluates the social impact of a range of initiatives and organisations, through the use of their bespoke ‘Social Impact Matrix©’ and qualitative research methods.
- Supports the University in developing, implementing and evaluating socially innovative, high impact projects.
- Engages in international collaborations centred on sustainable development with other universities, NGOs and international funders.
Themes
The Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) has research interests in several areas, including at national, European and international levels:
- Social Innovation: the creation of new solutions to social problems that empowers people to improve their lives, communities and society.
- Social Impact: the tangible impact created through innovations/projects that create tangible (and often monetary) impact for society.
- Social Investment: investment for businesses that does not just focus on the financial returns to be generated, but also the social impact that can be produced from the investment.
- Educational Innovation: changes to the way that children, young people and adults are educated to support their learning through non-traditional approaches that overcome traditional barriers to education (especially for the socially disadvantaged).
- Social Enterprise: a form of social innovation that takes place through a business model whereby the primary mission is the creation of social impact, with financial sustainability funding this through trading income.
- Public Service Reform: in particular with regards to social value procurement and the creation of public service mutuals/spin-outs from the public sector.
- Cross-cultural research: research that explores common areas of interest across different cultures/countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and Latin America.
- Sustainable development: we are committed to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda across our research and impact work.
Follow us on social media
X: @InstituteSII