4th International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC)
Third Sector Research Centre, Birmingham, 12-14 September 2012

Stream 4: Public Services and Innovation

Alex Murdock (London South Bank University) and Janelle Kerlin (Georgia State University)

The impact of the economic downturn on public finances is well established and some feel that the full impacts of reductions in public budgets and public employment are still yet to be felt. The often quoted maxim of ‘never letting a crisis go to waste’ has resonance in such circumstances where social economy organisations and social innovation are concerned. This stream welcomes theoretical and applied papers from contributors in the UK and elsewhere which explore issues pertaining to public services and innovation generally, and more particularly given the current financial climate, the interrelationships between austerity, public services and innovation.

Suggested areas of work within this stream include:

• co-design, co-commissioning/decommissioning and co-production particularly where user led organisations and groups are concerned;
• partnership and other evolving responses;
• growth of mutual and co-operative forms;
• personalisation and choice;
• self funding and self help.

Abstract submissions for single papers and panel sessions should be sent directly to ISIRC@tsrc.ac.uk. See call for papers for more details.

Enquiries should be directed to the stream convenors: Alex Murdock (alex.murdock@lsbu.ac.uk) and Janelle Kerlin (jkerlin@gsu.edu).

Full stream description (PDF, 14KB)