JIPE Call for Papers - Special Issue: Measuring the Impact of Social Innovation

Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education (JIPE) is pleased to announce a call for papers for a special issue dedicated to examining and evaluating the impact of social innovation. As communities, organizations, and policymakers increasingly turn to innovative social solutions to address complex challenges, understanding and quantifying their outcomes has never been more crucial. This special issue aims to foster rigorous academic dialogue and practical insights into how social innovation can be measured, compared, and scaled for maximum societal benefit.

Social innovation encompasses a wide range of initiatives—from grassroots projects to large-scale policy reforms—that generate social value. However, the very nature of social change makes impact assessment a challenging endeavour. 

Learn more about JIPE and submit your Expression of Interest by April 1: https://jipe.ca/index.php/jipe/about/submissions

We invite submissions that explore:

  • Methodological Frameworks: Innovative approaches and robust methodologies for assessing the outcomes and impacts of social innovation.
  • Metrics and Indicators: The development and application of quantitative and qualitative indicators and lagging vs. leading indicators to capture both direct and indirect social impacts.
  • Empirical Case Studies: In-depth analyses and case studies of social innovation initiatives, highlighting measurable impacts across different contexts and sectors.
  • Comparative Analyses: Cross-sector or cross-regional studies comparing the efficacy and scalability of various social innovation models.
  • Policy and Governance: Evaluations of the role of public policy, funding mechanisms, and governance structures in enhancing or hindering measurable social change.
  • Challenges and Opportunities: Critical discussions on the inherent challenges of impact measurement and potential pathways for standardization and improvement.

We welcome contributions that include empirical research, theoretical analyses, comprehensive reviews, and case studies. The goal is to generate actionable insights that benefit academics, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Questions regarding this call for papers may be directed to JIPE’s editorial desk at humberpress@humber.ca.