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Who we are
The Centre for Social Impact Swinburne (CSI Swinburne) focuses on building a more sustainable and equitable world through social entrepreneurship and technology; integrating research, education and practice.
Established in 2014, CSI Swinburne is a highly industry-engaged, practice-oriented research and teaching centre, based in Swinburne’s School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship (SoBLE) and is one of four university-based nodes of the highly respected CSI national network.
- We are informed by lived-experience and are embedded in the social purpose ecosystem.
- We are capacity builders, uplifting knowledge, skills and connections.
- We connect different sectors, recognising everyone has a role to play.
- We are systems-led because complex social inequities often arise for systemic reasons.
- We combine academic rigour with a practical focus.
- We have local, national and global reach.
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The Research for Social Impact Podcast, presented by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at Swinburne University of Technology
What we do
CSI Swinburne is focused on people and technology working together for a better world, exploring the intersection between social entrepreneurship and technology, in areas such as:
- social enterprise, social business and social finance
- community services innovation
- employment access and equity
- impact evaluation and measurement
CSI Swinburne hosts a number of free online tools and resources including the Social Start Up Studio, which offers free, evidence-based resources online that cover the important basics that you need to know before you think about starting a social enterprise.
CSI Swinburne will lead Australia's first Disability Employment Centre of Excellence—bringing together researchers, peak bodies, employers, people with disability and their families to improve economic participation and employment opportunities.
Our work
Community Services Outcomes Tree
PlatformsAn outcomes framework and survey tool designed to help community sector organisations measure the effect they are having on individuals’ lives. The framework and survey can be customised to relevant social enterprise outcomes, and is the one of the methods used in the CSI Payment By Outcomes evaluations.
Community Services Outcomes TreeSocial Startup Studio
PlatformsThe Swinburne Social Startup Studio helps build impactful and sustainable social enterprises. We offer evidence-based, practical support, mostly for startups – but we help existing social enterprises too.
Social Startup StudioWork Integration Social Enterprise, Connecting Pathways to Employment
PlatformsCSI Researchers have been working with Disability Enterprises (previously known as Australian Disability Enterprises or ADEs) to develop an organisation design model to support pathways to mainstream employment for employees with disability. This model is called the Work Integration Social Enterprise (WISE) Ability Model. Resources and training are available on the website, An organisational self-assessment tool and employee assessment have been developed, and CSI is building a quality framework approach.
Work Integration Social Enterprise, Connecting Pathways to EmploymentCSI Swinburne will lead Australia's first Disability Employment Centre of Excellence
PlatformsThis initiative, supported by Inclusion Australia, Family Advocacy, Disability Employment Australia, National Disability Services, and the University of Melbourne, unites experts, employers, and people with disability to drive better employment outcomes.
CSI Swinburne will lead Australia's first Disability Employment Centre of ExcellenceThe Research for Social Impact Podcast, presented by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at Swinburne University of Technology
PodcastsHosted by Susan Pizzati, Principal Industry Fellow (Social Impact) at CSI Swinburne, this podcast aims to bring you the latest in social impact research and education, through engaging conversations, insightful interviews, and valuable information. We'll cover topics such as social entrepreneurship, social finance, impact measurement, community services innovation, and employment reform, and our guests will include academic researchers, sector experts, industry guests and even our students and alumni. So, whether you're a seasoned professional in the social impact space or someone looking to make a difference, join us as we explore the latest research and initiatives relating to the social purpose ecosystem.
The Research for Social Impact Podcast, presented by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) at Swinburne University of TechnologyPayment by Outcomes: Measuring the effectiveness of jobs-focused social enterprises First-year evaluation results
ReportsThe first report spans the initiation, design, development and implementation of the Payments by Outcomes trial in the first year of service delivery (July 2022 – June 2023). Published November 2023. Authored by: Dr Roksolana Suchowerska, Dr Mike Moran, Libby Ward-Christie and Dr Tim Pullen.
Payment by Outcomes: Measuring the effectiveness of jobs-focused social enterprises First-year evaluation resultsPayment by Outcomes: Measuring the effectiveness of jobs-focused social enterprises Second-year evaluation results
ReportsThe second report records the outcomes that stakeholders of the Payments by Outcomes trial are experiencing in the second year of service delivery (July 2023 – June 2024). Published October 2024. Authored by: Dr Roksolana Suchowerska, Dr Aurora Elmes, Dr Michael Moran.
Payment by Outcomes: Measuring the effectiveness of jobs-focused social enterprises Second-year evaluation resultsVanguard Laundry Evaluation 2022
ReportsThis report provides evidence that employment with social enterprise Vanguard Laundry contributed to improved employment outcomes and self-reported health for people facing social disadvantage and barriers to work. Published March 2023. Authored by: Dr Aurora Elmes.
Vanguard Laundry Evaluation 2022Social Enterprise: A People-Centred Approach to Employment Services
ReportsPublished July 2019. Authored by: Jo Barraket, Joanne Qian and Emma Riseley.
Social Enterprise: A People-Centred Approach to Employment ServicesUnderstanding the Impact Costs of Work Integration Social Enterprises
ReportsThis report is part of the work of CSI that continues to look at the impact costs (and revenue sources to cover these) of social enterprises. Published November 2023. Authored by: Tim Pullen, John Webster & Libby Ward-Christie.
Understanding the Impact Costs of Work Integration Social Enterprises
Head office:
- Victoria
Service location(s):
- Victoria
Type(s) of actor:
- Capability builders
- Higher education institutions
- Research centres
- Professional service providers
Area(s) of activity:
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