Solving critical social issues by leveraging key research and direct action
The Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School acts as a platform for research and engagement with social innovators, academia and policy in UK and across the world. Its primary focus is to understand, promote, and engage with social innovators and create and support social ventures and projects.
Social innovation is concerned with the development of creative and practical solutions to complex social problems. While many social innovators work in non-profit organisations, they are increasingly found in government and corporations. The boundaries between the sectors have broken down, and social innovation now takes place at the intersection. That’s why our Centre focuses on leadership for social change, wherever it takes place. This requires a different approach; we aim to have a positive impact on the kind of world that we live in, blurring the boundaries between what is for-profit and what is non-profit.
Find out about the latest developments in the social innovation sphere, as well as gaining insights into Centre-related news and resources.
Our people
The Centre team (Professor Paul Tracey, Professor Neil Stott, and Dr Nicole Helwig) works closely with CJBS faculty, research fellows, and practitioner honorary fellows to develop cutting edge research, learning and support. Many other social innovators, volunteers and students also contribute to the work of the Centre.
Our partners
Our partners span business, civil society, policy and academia. Our research and practice fellows collaborate with us on research and teaching. Through Cambridge Social Ventures, we are also firmly embedded in the Cambridge entrepreneurial ecosystem and the social sector across the UK.
What we do
We build best practices across business, civil society, policy and academia for a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world, specifically:
Upcoming events
Our events are tailored towards educating and enabling students or business owners to start a social venture with the possibility of generating real-world impact.
We don't currently have any upcoming events, but check back soon.
News and insights
Read the latest news and features from the Centre from the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation.
Research centre news
Report: tap Indigenous practices to combat climate change
Local, Indigenous and ancestral knowledge systems (LAIKS) have been underused resources in addressing challenges posed by climate change and these important systems should be urgently tapped, says a new report by the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation (CCSI) and BCG (Boston Consulting Group).
Student and alumni news
Cambridge Judge venture leader Valerie Lolomari earns MBE
Valerie Lolomari, Founder of the Women of Grace social enterprise that advocates against gender-based violence, was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year’s Honours list for “services to the prevention of violence against women and girls”. Women of Grace is in the current cohort of Cambridge Social Ventures, the incubator of the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School.
Student and alumni news
Cambridge study rethinks power and meaning at COP summits
A new study by a recent graduate of the Master of Studies in Social Innovation degree programme at Cambridge Judge Business School sheds new light on how power operates in global climate negotiations, not only through bargaining over outcomes but through contests over meaning at the annual COP climate-change summits.