September 18, 2017

The School of Social Work and CoMotion, the university’s collaborative innovation hub, speak the same language: mission-driven entrepreneurial spirit, design thinking, creative problem-solving, team-based learning. It was only a matter of time before they would join forces to apply cross-disciplinary expertise to addressing persistent social problems.

CoMotion provides a rich incubation environment that includes workshops, maker spaces, an innovation fund, mentors from the technology and business community, and connections to funders. 

In the upcoming academic year, the School will bring together a diverse, multi-sector planning group that includes faculty, students, tribal representatives, and leaders of the School-led Communities in Action initiative to brainstorm ways to foster the “startup incubator” approach to the social service sector.

“We want to encourage our students to be design-focused, adept as devising workable solutions that will reach people quickly,” says Dean Eddie Uehara. “We are creating a space for innovation that will lead to impact—on an accelerated timeline.”

Dean Uehara and CoMotion Executive Director Vikram Jandhyala, who is also the UW’s vice president for innovation strategy, envision a mentored, competitive process whereby UW students and faculty, working with business and community partners, can submit ideas for development. The most promising ideas would be nurtured by CoMotion, creating a pipeline of new technologies and new approaches to addressing social problems.

“So many students, faculty and community partners want to change the world and find meaning in what they are learning and doing,” says Jandhyala. “We are joining with the School of Social Work to realize a shared vision of risk-taking innovation that leads to measurable, real-world impact and improves lives.”