SFU Change Lab is an interdisciplinary program for senior undergraduates at Simon Fraser University interested in learning about how to use social innovation and social entrepreneurship to respond to pressing challenges in the world around them. An intensive studio program, students accepted to the program join a tightly bonded cohort through course retreats, field visits, hands on project develo
pment, and exposure to human centred design, lean approaches to business model development, sector appropriate expertise around the problems they are exploring, and a network of community partners and advisors. It is a highly self directed program, working equally on "heads, hands and heart" outcomes for students as the work to become more effective changemakers, and build insightful solutions to priority challenges for the communities and partners we work with. Each term ends with a public presentation of final concepts, and students are supported to continue their explorations beyond the course through connections to a variety of funding, incubation and mentorship supports as appropriate. The program was founded by SFU alum Jennifer McRae and Deanna Rogers while still students, and it is now managed by RADIUS, SFU's social innovation lab and venture incubator, at the Beedie School of Business. Change Lab has run in partnership between the business faculty, the Faculty of Environment and the Faculty of Health on past interdisciplinary cohorts, and regularly participates as a City Studio Vancouver partner course. We thank Scott Shaw, SFU Innovates, and all of our partners for their support and collaboration.
