Stanford Social Innovation Evaluate’s 10 Most In style Articles of 2023

 

The top of the 12 months is usually a time for reflection and searching again, however while you study the listing of SSIR’s most-read articles of 2023, you’ll discover they’re centered on shaping the long run: Enhancing the apply of design considering to unravel social issues, getting ready organizations to undertake AI responsibly, telling higher tales for transformational social change, coordinating impression investing so communities thrive, attaining fairness and justice for all, and extra. Thanks to the SSIR group for sharing and interesting with these views. We sit up for many extra inspiring and insightful conversations in 2024!

SSIR’s high story of 2023 examines why design considering, a subject SSIR has lined typically, has did not create important and sustainable options to advanced social points. The authors urge readers to see past the prescriptive tendencies of design considering strategies and middle their work within the communities they serve. (Open to nonsubscribers for a restricted time. Subscribe right here.)

“Storytelling is probably the most highly effective device we now have for serving to individuals perceive the work we do, notably from people who find themselves closest to injustice and inequality.” Annie Neimand, a frequent contributor to SSIR, advises storytellers to transcend social change Mad Libs and apply insights and finest practices from social science and social actions to inform higher tales about impression.

“The techniques zeitgeist, maybe with out essentially meaning to, has made scale a precondition for achievement in techniques change.” Lior Ipp of the Roddenberry Basis examines the bias of scale and makes the case for funding extra small, domestically led organizations engaged on systemic points.

Is it potential to realize each market returns and significant social returns? Jim Bildner, CEO of the Draper Richards Kaplan Basis, takes intention on the widespread “it relies upon” reply to that query and suggests a coordinated capital strategy for making an impression.

5. A Reparations Roadmap for Philanthropy by Aria Florant, Tonyel Edwards, Cora Daniels, Alexandra Williams & Maurice Asare

“There’s a huge alternative for philanthropy to abundantly useful resource the ecosystem of organizations working to advance reparations in addition to construct a tradition of restore that facilities the therapeutic, well-being, and security of Black individuals.” Nonprofit and basis leaders discover the motion working towards reparations.

This can be a must-read for anybody within the social sector grappling with how, when, or if to make use of AI of their group. The authors, all skilled professionals on nonprofits and expertise, share recommendation centered on these aims: Use care, do no hurt, and keep human-centered.

“What’s extra threatening to authoritarian leaders than an informed, knowledgeable citizenry?” PolicyLink founder Angela Glover Blackwell describes a framework for understanding race and racism in the US that focuses on root causes, systemic challenges, and the necessity for equitable options that may obtain justice for all.

“Organizations can begin off by discovering methods to measure and assess what’s closest to them and their energy to affect within the close to time period, after which they will develop in ever-increasing circles as time goes on and as assets can be found.” Brett Davidson suggests a “concentric circle” mannequin for interested by and measuring narrative change.

“Funders ought to play a extra strategic and hands-on function that includes participating in clear conversations with grantees, acknowledging worthwhile views on either side, and co-creating plans to deal with agreed-on challenges.” Anu Malipatil and Lucy Brainard of Overdeck Household Basis clarify why trust-based philanthropy and strategic capability constructing are appropriate, they usually share their experiences serving to organizations grow to be cheaper, sustainable, and scalable.

“Social issues are like Hydra heads: lower one off, and extra seem. That is the irritating actuality that organizations within the philanthropic sector face every single day,” writes, Christian Seelos, codirector of the International Innovation for Impression Lab at Stanford College’s Middle on Philanthropy and Civil Society. So what ought to philanthropic leaders do in another way to confront these issues? Maybe the difficulty is with problem-solving itself.

Honorable Mentions:

11. A Circle That Isn’t Simply Squared by Ken Pucker

12. Don’t Feed the Zombies by Kevin Starr

13. The Rising Subject of Political Innovation by Johanna Mair, Josefa Kindt & Sébastien Mena

14. BIPOC Organizations and the Hamster Wheel of Philanthropy
by Grace Azenabor, Mariam Mansury, Jasmine Arai & Gabriel Kasper

15. The New Downside-Fixing Expertise That All Cities Want
by James Anderson

16. Reimagining Our Excessive-Tech World by Mike Kubzansky

17. Selecting AI’s Impression on the Way forward for Work by Daron Acemoglu & Simon Johnson

18. Reworking Native Communities Via Inventive Management by Stephan Manning & Yeşim Uygur

19. Sturdy Boards: An Antidote to Founder Syndrome
by Joan Garry

20. Placing the SDGs Again on Monitor by Amanda Williams, Patrick Haack & Knut Haanaes

21. The Case for Psychological Well being in Our Social Change Worlds
by Daisy Rosales & Kelly Davis

SSIR is continually searching for new contributors and story concepts. We encourage social innovators of all identities and backgrounds, in any respect ranges of their careers, and in all nations around the globe to evaluate our submission tips and take into account sharing their concepts and experiences with our readers. You probably have an concept for an article, we need to hear from you.

Learn extra tales by SSIR Editors.