Open social innovation: an experience-based learning approach to ignite civic virtues

Laura Dobusch, Nina Füreder, Thomas Gegenhuber and Johanna Mair

Chapter 10 in Handbook of Teaching and Learning in Social Innovation, 2026, pp 167-179 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Universities are increasingly expected to attend to their third mission. We suggest educational formats combining the topic of social innovation with hands-on experiences of affecting social change in their communities as a promising way to do so. More specifically, we share insights based on an open social innovation initiative organized by a university and a social welfare organization. This initiative enabled students to participate in a hackathon-like workshop to generate ideas on how to address problems their communities faced and a five-month follow-up support program to further develop and implement these ideas. In their learning process, students acquired skills to navigate the inherent uncertainties in social innovation processes, developed enhanced self-awareness and self-efficacy, and appreciated collective civic engagement. Our study reveals the potential of Open Social Innovation approaches for higher education institutions to fulfill their third mission by further strengthening their role as cradles for civic engagement.

Keywords: Civic Engagement; Community; Experience-based Learning; Self-efficacy; Social Sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035318292
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