The program moves swiftly from theory to practice for addressing pressing real-world challenges.
Informed by phenomenon-based learning, and embracing a multi-disciplinary learner-centric approach, fellows will progress through each mindset to accomplish individualized growth as well as community and social impact.
The program is structured in three themed semesters. Each focuses on one of the core mindsets required to enact sustainable and human-centered change.
- The first semester focuses on a Discovery Mindset and fosters the exploration into the scope of possibilities to approach a specific impact-driven project.
- The second semester shifts to a Design Mindset where engagement enables solutions developed from design-thinking practices and lessons.
- The final semester brings a Delivery Mindset to the forefront as the cohort learns to implement objectives and monitor social impact results.
First Semester: Discovery Mindset
What are the foundational elements in social impact and why they are important today? Includes a review of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their role.
What are the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time? We will hear from various scientific experts who will present an up-to-date overview of the challenges we are facing and how to address them.
How to lead change within complex social systems.
How can social action challenges be contextualized? How do worldviews shape the way we frame and understand challenges?
How to define problems and solutions using data. How to find resources at Queen's Universities (libraries, etc.)
How to initiate a social enterprise - from creating a social business plan to launching and scaling a social business.
How to lead social impact initiatives that span multiple sectors - private, public, and nonprofit.
Second Semester: Design Mindset
How to use human-centered design methodologies to create innovative solutions to social challenges.
How to engage a community in a social impact project. How to identify stakeholders and engage with them in an inclusive and effective way.
Reviewing the types of social enterprise structures - for-profit, nonprofit, and hybrid. What is the range of social finance options - blended finance, community bonds, etc.?
How do we support Reconciliation? How does this respond to the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?
Review of various funding and financing models for social impact. How to approach fundraising.
How to incorporate social impact into an enterprise's growth and success.
What are the various legal incorporation forms available for social initiatives? What are the appropriate governance structures for each, and how to manage governance challenges?
How to contribute to the policy making process.
Third Semester: Delivery Mindset
How to manage a successful social impact project.
Why is organizational purpose so critical today? How to create a shared sense of purpose and meaning within an organization.
How to enroll supporters and how to communicate the importance of a social impact initiative.
How to create an impact assessment framework. What are the major frameworks available, and how to use them?
What are the practical steps and ways to hire or attract people (including volunteers) to contribute to a social impact initiative.
How to build broad engagement around a social impact initiative, how to communicate effectively through multiple media channels, including social media.
There will be a 6-hour interactive workshop in both residencies 2 and 3 focused on topics related to the Social Impact Projects.
Fellows can audit two additional courses from across Queen’s University faculties.
Subject to change