Inclusive system innovation

Sweden needs to increase the pace of the sustainable transformation of the entire society. To do so, skills, insights and solutions from all people are needed. It is no longer enough to create solutions for the norm, we need to broaden the "scope" to include more perspectives on our social system. We love dissent.

A systemic perspective on inclusion

Often when we talk about inclusion, for example when it comes to digitization, we tend to get stuck on details like "voice recognition" (which works better for men than women) or facial recognition (which works better for some skin colors than others). Often projects on inclusive innovation are about topic like this. At RISE, we see it as a symptom of a larger problem. It´s about power structures in the system where some have more influence than others on how we develop our digital technology. We need to change this at the system level – not focus on individual cases of failed inclusion in innovation.

The need for Inclusive System Innovation

Sweden can increase the pace of change through inclusion since all change comes from people's commitment. Excluding large groups intransformation does not have the desired effect on system change, and makes us tend to focus on the wrong things.
Society needs to use the abilities of all residents and by questioning who has the power to change and how we create the conditions for inclusion in the societal transformation, we can create several mission-driven system demonstrators for lasting change.
We need to understand the role of norms and values in the transition and the effect of exclusion on our system change.

Why is RISE focusing on Inclusive system innovation?

Systems developed for one type of people tend in some cases to work poorly for anyone outside the "scoop". In short, it's about who has the power to decide how the systems are designed and for whom. By questioning these power structures and tapping into more perspectives, we can build social systems that actually work – for everyone. It is an important parameter in the long-term sustainable system transition and is the basis of our drive to build more inclusive systems.

What can RISE do in Inclusive System Innovation?

We carry out norm-critical analyzes and enlighten power structures in a data-driven society
Produces documentation for long-term strategies that can form the basis of a transformation, within a municipality, region or authority.
We establish various system demonstrators that drive inklusive transformation based on given missions.
We contribute to innovations and innovation systems that are inclusive.