4.2 Centre for Social Impact – CSI
Since submission of our
2019 report ( Section 4.3 ), CSI has continued to lead the way on social impact research that helps create conditions for a better world . CSI partners with organisations from across sectors to explore a range of social issue areas , with a particular focus on the levers and drivers of social disadvantage .
> It is rapid-response research to understand and support the short-term needs of the forpurpose sector , including charities , not-forprofit organisations , philanthropy , social enterprises and businesses .
> It will provide the evidence needed for the longer term , to help the sector re-tool for a more inclusive and sustainable future .
> It will provide the longitudinal data and research infrastructure for an ongoing Pulse of the For-Purpose sector analysis . This is data that the sector has never had before .
Wave One of the research was released in December 2020 ( with Wave Two due later in 2021 ). It uncovered the increasing need for social purpose services during the pandemic , with 8 in 10 organisations reporting an increase in demand . To this day , the sector continues to provide vital services in response to the social and economic shocks of 2020 . Such shocks have had varied implications on the funding and stability of social purpose organisations .
The findings of the report reveal a list of financial and resourcing implications for the sector , with 85 % of social purpose organisations reporting a reduction in revenue , even with Government support schemes in place . The results presented in the report are not reflective of a ‘ new normal ’, but a state of flux in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and some uncertainty associated with multiple and ongoing social and economic shocks .
Supplementing this survey work , CSI is releasing a series of “ deep dive ” reports into a range of social issue areas . The first deep dive into
Social Enterprise was released in November 2020 . Coming in 2021 are deep dives on service innovation , mental health ( in partnership with Z Zurich Foundation ), homelessness and social cohesion .
4.3 Business School Labs and Knowledge Hubs Framework
Launched in early 2021 , the Business School ’ s labs and knowledge hubs framework provides a platform to bring together research groups and external partners to solve important problems relevant to business and society , such as those identified by the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals and
UNSW Grand Challenges .
Knowledge hubs are developed to optimise research outcomes and maximise impact by facilitating the exchange of information . Each proposal to establish a knowledge hub must articulate its objectives and growth trajectory , demonstrate the long-term viability and the value of the hub to the Business School ’ s strategic priorities . Each knowledge hub includes a substantial 3 year financial investment by the Business School in conjunction with co-funding from the host department and / or industry partner .
As a stepping stone towards a knowledge hub , Business School labs provide a co-funding model , by way of matched investment , for researchers to secure industry partners to help small groups of academics develop emerging research themes that have potential to become a future knowledge hub .
The two inaugural hubs are the Digital Sustainability Hub and the Economics of Education Hub ( see below ). Two labs have also been established in 2021 : the UNSW UNOVA Lab ( see Section 5.3 ) and the UNSW Marketing Leadership Forum , which aims to bridge the gap between research in marketing and marketing practice .
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