Georgian College

iCoop Community Impact Lab Design Team Member

Position Summary:

At the Centre for Changemaking and Social Innovation (CCSI), we believe small acts can lead to big change. Grassroots efforts can turn into large-scale movements. Ideas can spark innovations that
make our communities and planet greener, healthier, safer, stronger, and more inclusive. We are currently seeking students interested in using their Cooperative Education, Internships, Community-Based Research Experience or Field Placement semesters to work in an Innovation Co-op (iCo-op) as part of the work that happens within CCSI's Community Impact Lab Network.

The Community Impact Lab Network is a community-based social innovation initiative that brings together diverse individuals to explore how we might address solutions to the 17 UN Sustainable
Development Goals in our Region. Successful iCo-op applicants will become part of a multi-disciplinary social innovation team made up of diverse community and industry members. As part of this iCo-op community-based project experience, you will:

  • Gain expertise working within a fast-paced innovation lab environment, led by Social Innovation and Social Impact experts
  • Participate in a Design Research projects within rural community contexts.
  • Explore foresight and futures thinking to investigate alternative social, cultural and economic realties• Learn about, and work with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goal framework
  • Gain an opportunity to apply skills you are learning in your academic studies to create social change

Unique to the iCo-op experience is the opportunity for successful applicants to work with and learn how to use generative co-design processes like human-centered design thinking, foresight and business model innovation to engage with community and industry partners and tackle complex problems together. Current Community Impact Labs you will have the opportunity to support include three labs that address the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • Seniors & Social Isolation Lab to address SDG #3 - Good Health & Well Being
  • Affordable Housing Lab to address SDG#11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Carbon Drawdown to address SDG#13 – Climate Action

Please click here for more information.