Social Innovation – Tools for Social Change

Why should I take this Trinity Elective?

“The hardest part of innovation is the social.” Professor Jennifer Wilcox, Clean Energy Conversions  Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania

Do you want to make a difference in your community, tackle pressing social and environmental issues, or drive meaningful change in the world? Social innovation is about developing and implementing solutions that create lasting impact.

This module introduces you to the process of social innovation, teaching you how to analyse societal challenges, engage with key changemakers, and develop innovative solutions. You’ll explore current approaches such as nature-based solutions for sustainable cities, coastlines, and rural communities, working alongside academics, practitioners, and activists to develop actionable ideas.

If you’re ready to think differently, challenge the status quo, and build the skills to become a changemaker, this is the Trinity Elective for you.

What will I learn?

• Understand how social innovation works and how to develop and operate within an innovation system.
• Learn how social innovation addresses critical societal challenges such as sustainable urban, rural, and coastal development.
• Engage with leading social innovators, academics, and activists in Ireland and abroad to gain firsthand insights into social change.

What will I do?

• Attend lectures with Irish and international experts in social innovation.
• Participate in interactive workshops, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
• Develop individual and group skills in socially innovative action, guided by mentors.
• Create and share your insights through presentations, videos, and blog posts.

How will this be delivered?

• 11 hours of lectures.
• 22 hours of online and in-class workshops.
• 20 hours of advance reading.
• 15 hours of individual assessment preparation.
• 30 hours of group assessment preparation.

How will this be assessed?

100% continuous assessment (50% individual, 50% group).

Individual assessment (50%)

• • Interview and record a three-minute video with an expert in your focal topic area.
  • Write a blog post on what you learned, designed for a non-academic audience, and share it on the module web page.

Team assessment (50%)

• • Research and present a poster addressing a social or environmental challenge and how to address it using social innovation.
  • Write a team blog on your team’s learning, designed for a non-academic audience interested in social innovation, and share it on the module web page.

Who can take this Trinity Elective?

Any eligible student can take this Trinity Elective except those enrolled in Business, Business and Language, Business and Computer Science, Law and Business, and BESS.

* Please note that assessment methods, assessment weightings and amount of contact hours are subject to change by the module coordinator. You can confirm all assessment details and expected contact hours with the module coordinator upon starting the elective.