Experts in social innovation will head to Glasgow this year for the world’s leading international conference.

Glasgow Caledonian University’sYunus Centre for Social Business and Health will host the 8th International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) from September 5-7, 2016.

Social innovation considers novel approaches to meet the needs of all society and address problems such as poverty, ill-health and climate change.

More than 250 papers have been submitted for the three-day event held at conference venue 200 SVS, supported by the Scottish Government Third Sector Unit.

The Conference will focus on social innovation in the 21st Century and keynote speakers include: Dr Ana Maria Peredo, from the University of Victoria in Canada, who researches the role of business in supporting disadvantaged people; social finance expert Professor Alex Nicholls from the University of Oxford and Taco Brandsen, Professor of Public Administration at Radboud University in the Netherlands.

Simon Teasdale, Professor of Public Policy and Organisations at GCU, said: “We are delighted that, with the kind support of the Scottish Government, we will host the ISIRC in Glasgow for the first time. It is fitting that GCU – a Changemaker campus with Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus as our Chancellor – is hosting the world’s leading academic conference in the field of social innovation.

“This year the conference theme is ‘beyond welfare capitalism’ and our keynote speakers and conference sessions will critically explore support for social innovation, within and outside of existing welfare systems.”

Innovation, for social and economic impact, is a key driver at GCU, which is Scotland’s first Ashoka U Changemaker Campus in recognition of our achievement in driving forward social innovation. The University also facilitated the establishment of Grameen in the UK, a micro-lending initiative offering support to people not served by any financial services.

ISIRC registration is now open.