Social Innovation

Supporting
socially-driven ideas.

The University of Sheffield Social Innovation Programme (USSIP) helps to foster, support, and develop social innovation amongst the University of Sheffield’s undergraduates, taught post-graduates and recent graduates.

  • Our social innovation programme is a range of events, workshops, publications, networking opportunities and information about social enterprise and social innovation. This programme aims to: inspire our students to become more socially aware; facilitate any and all community ideas to give students the ability to implement them; and give students the support, encouragement and resources required to initiate them.

    Turning your ideas for social change into a reality.

    To do this we can provide initial advice, consultancy, help and support for your socially driven idea. Feel free to come into our main reception and speak to one of our friendly student interns.

    Don't just take our word for it.

    See what our students have to say

  • Knowledge and Information

  • From the USSIP blog...

  • Social Innovation Lab

    If you have a socially driven idea, or just want to find out more about social innovation, why not attend our Social Innovation Lab? The lab will give you a sound introduction to social innovation.

    Sign up now

    If you want to take your idea further, then you may want to enrol in our Social Innovation Accelerator, which helps taught students - and alumni up to five years from graduation - to refine, enhance and develop social innovations, including taking these forward as social enterprises.

    We also provide advice about financial models and sources of financial support, and in 2012 we will launch a social innovation growth fund to help support those enrolled on the accelerator.

  • Help and Support

  • USE Module

    “Making Ideas Happen” (MIH) is a new interdisciplinary enterprise and innovation module that aims to be innovative, engaging and inspiring to students in all subject disciplines across the University.

    The module provides an excellent foundation to social innovation work.

    As well as helping students’ employability, the transferrable skills students will gain from taking part in MIH should be applicable within their main area of study.

  • Social Enterprise Network

    City and Region: Sheffield’s students and graduates play a major part in social innovation in the city and region, through individual work, a range of University programmes, and the social enterprises they set up and work within.

    England and UK: alumni of the University continue to develop social innovation, and the University has a number of strategic social enterprise partners.

    Europe and elsewhere: the social innovation programme is part of wider European and world wide initiatives to promote a more socially innovative culture and the development of social enterprise