Social innovation

Social innovation involves new strategies, ideas and organisations that meet social needs of all kinds. It flourishes when people from different backgrounds and experiences come together to produce new ideas and initiatives.

At Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), we are working to deliver social benefit and impact through education, research and social innovation.

Our social innovation initiatives aim to provide solutions to real-world problems through applied research and development, working in partnership with business, the public and voluntary sectors.

GCU has established a rich social innovation culture by supporting research within the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health in civic participation, social policy, health and the environment.  As members of the Clinton Global Initiative University Network, our students will tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges through a leadership programme backed by the Clinton Foundation.

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) programme offers students an opportunity to participate in leadership development, mentorship, skills training, and partnership building as well as funding support. Participating students have access to top experts and change agents, some of the most prominent individuals in their field.

Clinton Global Initiative University logo

CGI is a great opportunity for any student who has a socially innovative idea and wants to explore and actualise it beyond the ideation stage. The networking opportunities are endless, for example, I have made acquaintances with social innovators from the US, Africa, and South America, and realised that CGI allowed us to work together to address the wicked problems of the world

Daneyal Mirza
MSc Social Innovation student

Applications for the CGI U programme are open once a year and welcome students with an idea or a project to make a positive change in education, climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.