Social Innovation Lab at The University of Kansas

In partnership with our colleagues at?Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc., we’ve been taking deep dives into the multi-disciplinary world of ecosystems, networks and community. Through exploratory research, data science, and field-based practice across sectors, we are focused on developing novel insights and actionable strategies for ecosystem leaders and innovators. In this feature, we propose a taxonomy of network resilience. In other words, what might the building blocks of a resilient ecosystem, network, or community be? We have a few ideas to add to the conversation. What do you think? #community #resilience #ecosystems #networks #weloveagoodtaxonomy

Through analysis of social care networks, presented at the 2024 Sunbelt Conference with our partners Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc., we've gained a deeper understanding of how network structures underpin the strength and resilience of systems. The way connections within a network are organized isn’t just a technicality; it’s a critical determinant of how efficiently resources are shared, information flows, and contingencies are managed. We found that networks combining a scale-free distribution with small-world clustering and distinct roles for hubs and spreaders were most common. This consistently enables communication and resource-sharing among partners but leaves the network vulnerable if a critical node or hub is lost. By understanding and applying these structural principles, we can design networks that reduce single points of failure, provide flexibility under stress, and maintain robust connectivity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gpeR65Fi Watch the talk: https://lnkd.in/dP6EudvW #ecosystems #networks #socialcare #resilience

Here at the Lab, we're interested in how and why change occurs within a complex ecosystem at scale. We believe it's a cascading series of actions and actors each affecting different parts of the system that, when combined, creates the enabling conditions for impact. In other words, we all have the opportunity to be a part of a bigger solution when we intentionally connect our efforts in the same direction. We can do it! We are looking forward to Rachel Sinha's webinar in January to hear about how women often work in this mission-driven space as the guiding glue and gas on the pedal. We hope you join us. #ecosystem #systemschange #mission #impact #bettertogether

We're working on a series of white papers with our colleagues at Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. for ecosystem builders and innovative leaders. We're breaking down how to introduce research, evaluation, and network analysis into this work to answer the question we often hear: How do we know our efforts are making enduring change? These series of white papers are intended for a wider audience and give real world examples that apply these methods. Our first installment tackles evaluation ecosystems: https://lnkd.in/g3tYnC5s #ecosystems #networks #evaluation #innovationecosystem

At the University of Kansas Social Innovation Lab and Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc., we have been partnering on research to deeply understand social ecosystems. As a result of this work, we’re excited to release the first in a series of white papers for those building ecosystems and leading systems change. We offer this paper for those who seek rigorous evidence about the effectiveness and impact of their collective work. How do you know if you’re making enduring change at scale? Building ecosystems involves aligning all elements of such an undertaking, including diverse people, organizations, perspectives, and values, in the service of large-scale equitable change. The investment of time, resources, and social capital needed to bring together a network of people and organizations in the service of something bigger is extensive. Validating that it was worth it requires outcomes and impact. After all that effort, how do you know that you are making headway? Evaluating an ecosystem can provide evidence that the effort by all parts of the network matters or where to pivot or refocus resources. Our Responsive Ecosystems for Change Evaluation Framework is a call to action to bring the best methods and tools we have available to validate and quantify impact at scale. Read more about our approach to ecosystem evaluation: https://lnkd.in/g4MA4iyp #ecosystems #ecosystembuilder #ecosystemevaluation #innovation #SNA #evaluation #systemschange #methodology #impact #effectiveness

We're interested in the power of complex adaptive systems to influence outcomes at scale. Check out our latest research presentation on the population-level benefits of cohesive social care networks to enhance resilience - an example of our model Tech-Enabled Community Resilience model with Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. and how to evaluate dynamic ecosystems. The future of impact is non-linear! #ecosystems #networkanalysis #complexity #innovation #resilience

Our friends at Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. have been creative and thought-provoking innovation colleagues with us for some of the most challenging social problems we're interested in tackling. Chasing good ideas, expanding our networks, testing out what's possible, and then making it happen are hallmarks of our partnership. We love being a university partner in their many efforts to design and drive innovative change. Interested in working with us on your next big idea or your most vexing problem? We're ready to run! #academic #innovation #partnerships #dynamic #change #research

? The future is now!