Social Innovation

Sir Geoff Mulgan is Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London (UCL). Previously he was Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK's innovation foundation, Director of the government's Strategy Unit and Head of Policy in the Prime Minister's office, Chief Executive of The Young Foundation, Director of the think-tank Demos and Chief Adviser to Gordon Brown MP and a reporter on BBC TV and radio. He is a senior visiting scholar at Harvard University and advises governments around the world. He is the author of many books including Good and Bad Power (Penguin) and Big Mind (Princeton University Press).

"Mulgan’s wide-ranging vision and extensive experience are on display in this whirlwind tour of the prospects and challenges facing social innovators. Enjoy the ride!" Mark H. Moore, Harvard University

• Introduction: the great imbalancesI MAKING SENSE OF SOCIAL INNOVATIONWhat is social innovation and how is it done?The roots of social innovation and the fragile springs of social generativityII. CHALLENGES, ROADBLOCKS AND SYSTEMSThe political context for social innovation now: thesis, antithesis and synthesisStructural change and new social contracts: how innovation in welfare can address changing needsSocial production systems: what is the best unit for analysis and action?Place-based systems change: how can governments, funders and civil society achieve more together?III. SOURCES, IDEAS AND WAYS OF SEEINGThe theoretical foundations of social innovation: sources, ideas and future directionsSocial science and intelligence designObservation, interpretation and activism: sociology's role in social changeUnderstanding how cultures changeA theory of belonging: how do we feel at home?The interpretation of social changeIV GOOD AND BAD SOCIAL INNOVATIONKnow Your Impact (and in praise of better borrowing)The evolution of measures that matter: how do we know if social innovation is working?Good and bad innovation: what theory and practice do we need to distinguish them?V SOCIAL INNOVATION AND THE FUTURESocial innovation in the 2020sThinking about the futureVI FRESH THINKING