About Social+
Social+ is a Danish platform for social inventions. We help social inventors from idea to innovation.
Social+ is financially supported by VELUX FONDEN in co-financing with the VILLUM FONDEN. We are an independent part of the non-profit organisation Social Development Centre SUS (www.sus.dk).
Contact us at sekretariat@socialeopfindelser.dk or by phone +45 33934450.
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People in Social+
Andreas Hjorth Frederiksen
Andreas has been involved in a wide range of social innovations – as creator, inventor, innovator and critical friend. He holds an MA in Minority History and is also educated in multimedia design and management. Andreas has worked in Social Development Center SUS, the Danish Red Cross Youth, Save the Children and is co-founder of FrivilligJob.dk. Most recently Andreas was Director of KPH – a platform for young cultural and social entrepreneurs in Copenhagen. Andreas is the Director of the Social+.
ahf@socialeopfindelser.dk
Anne Sorensen
Anne has worked with social innovation in both theory and practice. She has an MA. in Psychology and Cultural Encounters and has extensive experience in social processes of innovation and cooperation projects in municipalities – among others in relation to vulnerable children and young people with mental health difficulties. Anne has previously worked with evaluation and documentation in the social field in Oxford Research and has over the past years worked with social innovation and social inventions in Social Development Centre SUS.
ans@socialeopfindelser.dk
Bernhard Jensen
Bernhard has over 25 years of experience with social inventions and social innovation. He has an MSc supplementing his education as a social worker and is the creator of a myriad of social innovations. Bernhard has developed and implemented social inventions concerning civil society, voluntary work, social housing, psychiatry, homelessness, people with disabilities, and not least user influence. Besides the working in Social+ Bernhard holds a position as Director of Development in Social Development Centre SUS.
bj@socialeopfindelser.dk
What is a social invention?
Broadly speaking, an invention of any kind can be defined as a new means-end combination. Inspired by D. Stuart Conger, we define a social invention as a new groundbreaking initiative (means) that solves or prevents a social problem (end) or makes possible hitherto unattainable social order or progress.
Following this definition a social invention can be e.g. a new groundbreaking law, organization, procedure, technology etc. that changes the ways in which people relate to themselves and/or others and thereby solves or prevents a social problem.
Furthermore a social invention challenges traditional solutions and existing ways of thinking. It has invention height and guides new inventions and innovations.
Invention – and social invention – are often mistaken for other related terms. We differentiate between those terms by looking at the process of social innovation.
Social invention can be placed on a continuum that starts by the formulation of a specific problem, challenge or possibility. This problem undergoes a creative process that produces new ideas. The elaboration and refinement of those ideas might eventually turn into an invention that is described and concretized enough to implement it in practice.
If you would like to know more about Social+ or social inventions, please contact us.
