Research based social innovations at Karolinska Institutet
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Karolinska Institutet - Division of Innovative Care Research, Department LIME |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | April 2018 - January 2019 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Social innovation - development and testing |
| Call | Social innovation - step 1 |
Purpose and goal
The purpose of this project has been to lay the foundation for a support structure for research-based social innovation at Karolinska Institutet (KI). The overall goal of the project has been, working in collaboration with the KI Innovation system, to develop a thorough plan for how current structures can be developed and expanded to meet the needs of researchers whose disciplines are currently underrepresented in the innovation system.
Expected results and effects
This project has resulted in a picture of the potential for social innovation that currently exists at KI, and what support researchers need. We broadened our network and examined approaches to measure and assess societal impact. Based on this, we developed a proposal for the development and expansion of KI’s innovation structure to better support social innovation. Long term effects are expected to include providing more researchers with support to see innovation potential and to develop and disseminate research-based social innovations, with increased societal benefit.
Planned approach and implementation
In the project, we worked with four work-packages to: 1) explore needs and potential for research-based social innovation at KI, 2) review different impact assessment methods and indicators for social innovations, 3) develop a network of people and organizations for continued work, 4) develop a model for expanding KI’s current innovation system with a support structure for social innovation. The results of these work-packages, which were carried out in parallel, form the basis for the next steps.