The Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation
Since its inception a decade ago, the Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation (CSSI) at the Gustavson School of Business has stretched the boundaries of business and sustainability. The CSSI has catalyzed cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research, inspired our students to become change agents in their organizations and communities, and cultivated a strong sustainability ethos within the Gustavson Business School and beyond.
CSSI supports Gustavson faculty, postdoctoral fellows and PhD students who are doing research on a variety of leading-edge sustainability topics including climate finance, indigenous organizing, community resilience, social-ecological systems, workplace democracy, EDI in the workplace, and regenerative agriculture.
The Centre helps staff and faculty integrate sustainability and social responsibility into all of Gustavson’s educational offerings. From core courses to international exchanges, we offer practical support to meet the school’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
In addition to supporting faculty, staff and students on the sustainable journey, the CSSI strongly focuses on reducing the Gustavson School of Business’s environmental footprint. We conduct an annual carbon audit to identify areas for reduction and purchase carbon offsets. Further, we also run education programs and competitions to encourage behaviour change that will reduce our environmental footprint.
In response to a world facing growing sustainability crises, CSSI recently raised its level of ambition by aiming for regenerative sustainability. Doing no harm is no longer enough. Our life-supporting ecosystems and communities need to be restored and revitalized. Regenerative sustainability means aiming for net-positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes. We need to give more to the world than we take. We hope you will join us on our journey.