about

welcome to the social innovation initiative (SII). 

because there’s just not enough time for us all to reinvent the wheel.

SII hub is an online network for people to connect, share resources, tell stories, inspire, and support social innovation in the Brown Community.  Check out our expert bloggers, read about student projects and share your ideas.  Through sharing we can increase our collective impact.

we hope you leave inspired…

what is SII?

Brown’s legacy of social commitment has largely been the product of individual curiosity and entrepreneurial skill but has lacked significant institutional support. SII is a student led initiative that works to inspire and support student and alumni social entrepreneurs through the creation of a community that expands critical skills, knowledge, resources, and social networks. 

 

Mission:  To inform & involve more students in social entrepreneurship by strengthening student-led projects and initiatives to enhance community impact and sustainability. 

The Social Innovation Initiative (SII) focuses on community building through collaboration and knowledge sharing:

• Lectures and discussions bring leading social entrepreneurs to campus to inform students regarding the many approaches and models all called social entrepreneurship
• SE Courses & GISP’s provide opportunities for students to research and learn varying theories, approaches, models to various social problems
• Research teams are the main entry point for students to plug-in and learn about projects launched and run by other students
• Boot Camp workshops provide hands-on skills that provide relevant hands-on skills to student entrepreneurs
• Grants provide financial resources to support and help launch new initiatives.
• Peer Critique is a sounding board for student entrepreneurs to give and receive advice and to ask and hear questions to improve project design and to avoid reinvention
• Starr Fellowship provides structure, support and financial resources to prepare students to work in the field to test new, innovative approaches & initiatives