Measuring social innovation (SI) is an important issue directly related to transformative societal change in response to grand societal challenges. Exacerbated by the normative turn in innovation policies toward addressing societal challenges, SI has entered policy agendas at all governance levels, from the local and regional to national and supranational levels of the EU and the OECD. Especially against the background of mission orientation and its directionality, the availability of a solid evidence basis on SI is becoming increasingly important. In light of SI as a game changer in addressing the grand societal challenges necessitates policymakers, investors, innovators, and citizens to understand the conditions for and the actions taken towards transformative change. Hence, SI actors must obtain early information on relevant needs, pertinent actors, potential solutions, and SI capacities. Measurement of SI is thus considered a tool for informed, evidence-based decision-making.

In response to the call for advancing SI measurement, Institute for Work and Technology (IAT) in Germany have developed a holistic approach to assess the multifaceted phenomenon of SI in the context of the IndiSI+ project funded by the German Ministry of Research and Education.

Taking a systems perspective, it extends previous conceptualisations by connecting three measurement levels relating to organisations, regional contexts, and resonance in online discourses. As their project ends, they would like to take the opportunity to present core results, share key takeaways and discuss the future perspectives of SI measurement.

The first of the three webinars, to be held on 30 March 2023, will centre on core findings and their relevance for transformative innovation policies, possibilities to anchoring SI measurement in the broader context and its usefulness for future research and innovation. The second webinar, scheduled for 19 April 2003, will detail their findings. Finally, in the third webinar, held on 03 May 2023, they will critically reflect on our measurement approaches with the audience.

To register and request the full agenda, e-mail wloka@iat.eu