CENTER FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION

Since its foundation in 1990 Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) is committed to contribute to the advancement of empirically substantiated social innovation by interdisciplinary and international co-operation. 'Social innovation' is defined as invention, adjustment or application of new societal concepts applicable to decision making and development processes in public administration, political bodies, legislation, private enterprises, organisations of the social partners and of the civil society.

CSI is a private, non-profit research institute, based in Vienna, Austria. On basis of sound socio-economic research cross-sector activities in education, training, policy consulting, networking and the organisation of conferences are performed by CSI. Work is organised interdisciplinary and situated extensively within international networks. European issues play an important role in the work of the CSI, emphasising EU-enlargement and socio-economic and cultural sustainability of the European Union and its current and future member states.

Scientific qualifications and practical experiences of the 30+ regular employees of the CSI encompass a variety of expertise including labour market issues and social policies, education and training (incl. implementation and usage of ICT for co-operative eLearning), ethnic business, e-work, European S&T, technology assessment, environmental and cultural studies.

CSI has been and is involved in various European projects, supported by specific research programmes under the 4th, 5th and 6th European Framework Programmes for RTD. A variety of projects contribute to other Community programmes and initiatives (such as ADAPT and EMPLOYMENT, LEONARDO, SOCRATES, INTAS, COST etc.).

Based upon its competence and performance the CSI is contributing to socio-economical goals and research priorities:
Supporting the social, ecological and economical advancement of today's society
enhancing European integration by building up scientific competence and knowledge based applications
upgrading of infrastructure, efficiency and internationalisation of social sciences in the European Research Area (ERA).

Thematic Priorities
The work of the CSI is organised in two units whose thematic priorities are of utmost relevance to socio-economic transformation processes in the knowledge based society.

Work and Equal Opportunities:
In this area the CSI carries out studies and projects, aiming to re-organise the traditional organisation of work. This takes into account
the implementation of networks and qualification measures in order to secure and extend employment
research to establish innovative instruments for the integration of marginalised groups
as well as the creation of regional development strategies.

Technology and Knowledge:
This area originates from the question "How do people apply knowledge in using technology?". In general the unit focuses on participatory technology assessment, social-scientific innovation research and analysis of the creation, diffusion and consequences of new technologies. Many of the projects centre around new teaching methods, collaborative eLearning in theory and real life, internet databases, virtual networks and online communities.

In these areas the CSI is offering analysis and concepts of social-innovation based upon basic and applied research and policy advice.
The following knowledge generation and application modes are used:
Research: basic and application oriented studies
Education: planning and implementation of continuous education concepts and courses
Policy Advice: planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes
Networks: establishment and coordination of virtual and real life knowledge networks.

Key people: Prof. Josef Hochgerner

Staff working on the project: Elke Dall, Astrid Haider, Maria Koller

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