Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why “Labs”?

• This is intentionally a gathering about Labs: Social Innovation Labs fill a small but powerful niche in the larger ecosystem of efforts to make meaningful progress on complex challenges. It is not a slight to other systems change or justice approaches. We assume that Labs are ONE approach – not THE – approach to making change or the only way to tackle complex challenges. 

• ‘Labs’ popped up for a reason 15 to 20 years ago: people, organizations and systems wanted spaces for more diverse actors to come together, to think and act systemically and experimentally to tackle complex challenges

• The lab field has evolved considerably: the initial, broad and diverse enthusiasm was normal and now there is a need to more deeply discern and evaluate 

• We don’t want to boil the ocean of every systems change approach: we want some honest conversations about the past and future of Labs because it hasn’t really happened with seasoned practitioners and there is lots of knowledge out there about what’s working, not working and what needs to be developed further

• This is a deep evaluative event: the intentional focus of this gathering is towards evaluating lab processes and stewardship. It’s not a general collective gathering of the labs ecosystem. We want people who know this work well and/or can support it to dig deeper on some key issues; this can be very hard to do if the event has too many people, or too many people who are only somewhat familiar with the work of labs the past 15-20 years. 

What do you mean when you say a “Lab” so I can see if I’m the right fit to attend?

This is actually one of the trickiest things to define for this event. It needs to be a sweet spot that is not too broad or too narrow. Below we have some working principles. Rather than create a ‘definition’ of Labs, we offer fundamentals or common attributes in most Labs [1] - the signature of how they are represented will be diverse. Many will be working on diverse content or challenge areas.

The intent of social innovation labs is to create a space for diverse change-makers to sense-make, generate, develop and test promising solutions to address complex societal challenges in a way that is collaborative, iterative (experimental), and systemic in thinking and action.

Minimum core principles of social innovation labs:

• Focused on complex societal challenges

• Brings together diverse perspectives from a system where there is a complex challenge being explored

• Systemic in thinking and action 

• Experimental in developing and testing possible solutions

• Aim at understanding root causes of complex challenges and then generating possible solutions and pathways from leverage points 

One consideration for this gathering is that we aren't including labs that are exclusively incubator or accelerator social good labs, as these types of labs primarily focus on already created existing pilots or interventions that need to scale. This Labs gathering focuses on processes of collective problem solving, deep sense making of root causes, ideation, testing of ideas and evaluation.

1. Cabaj, Mark. November 10, 2023. Defining Social Innovation Labs: Somewhere Between a Butterfly and a Blueprint. Here to There Consulting. https://here2there.ca/blog/

What Are Some Of The Underlying Trends Informing The Future of Labs Gathering?

Future of Labs particular focus on working with mature lab leaders and practitioners was sparked by the recognition that many are considering dropping the term “lab” or already have, but they continue with various practices and disciplines of collective change making and problem solving. Another trend we’re wanting to look into are the pioneering public and private and community sector labs in Canada and internationally that have shut down, or changed their names and practices without being very specific as to what shifted or changed. There are signals that Human Centered Design Thinking is too formulaic and doesn’t address systems and root causes as well, but still a sense that deep ethnographic research and generative solution ideation is in the realm of good practice. 

There are signals and deep wisdom in the Canadian context to work on decolonizing practices. Indigenous knowledge is important to weave into collective problem solving if stewarded ethically and centers Indigenous leaders in co-design of processes, avoiding notions of over simplified pan-Indigeneity. 

There are also prominent tensions between the generative nature of common lab practices and the critical deconstructive practices of newer Critical Social Justice movements of the last 5-10 years.  

There are also trends of some labs or collective problem solving practices wanting individuals that are part of collectives to work on spiritual systems inside themselves as a means to change systems outside. We want to look closer at these and more trends that emerge from upcoming surveys. This will help the field and future leaders to learn, tap into our collective hive mind of expertise and see what are promising possibilities that should come next. 

I’d like to attend! Why do I have to complete an expression of interest?

This gathering is intentionally designed to be the right size to allow for in-depth conversations amongst the entire group; ensuring that every attendee has the opportunity to contribute, share insights, and actively shape the outputs. We are looking for a diverse cross-section of experienced leaders with deep experience designing and leading lab processes. Given the limited capacity, we may not be able to accommodate, for example, every practitioner from a single lab. The expression of interest (EOI) allows us to (1) determine attendees’ alignment with the vision and scope of the gathering, and (2) strive for a diversity of perspectives and experience amongst seasoned practitioners. Each EOI will be reviewed and decisions made by the Future of Labs Design team: Action Lab, Mark Cabaj, Patrick Dubé, Social Innovation Canada, and Winnipeg Boldness Project.

How much are registration fees?

We are still working on securing additional funding for the Future of Labs, which would impact the overall registration cost. We currently estimate registration fees to be no more than $300/person.

What is included in my registration fees?

Costs to attend will cover gathering attendance, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on full days/breakfast and lunch on half days), and access to Hollyhock amenities.

What is NOT included in my registration fees?

• Transportation - airfare, ferries, or shuttles

• Excursions

• Accommodation - ranges from $57-337 depending on accommodation type (i.e. dorm style 4-6 people share vs. single ensuite). We have secured a 20% discount on accommodations at Hollyhock for delegates.
  

What are the registration fees for?

We are working with tight budget constraints and want the work to be impactful and shareable. The main costs that fees will help with are the rental fee of the facility, food, and some design, writing, and podcast creation. We are still working on securing additional funding for the Future of Labs, which would impact the overall registration cost. We currently estimate fees to be no more than $300/person.

Do you have bursaries to support equity-seeking individuals who want to attend?

Yes! We are committed to making this event accessible to participants. To promote equity in attendance, we have allocated funds to support conference related expenses for participants who require financial support. Some equity metrics we consider contribute to access include:

• Distance traveled - How far attendees will be traveling to attend

• Organizational support - Are attendees receiving any financial support from their organizations to attend

• Underrepresented backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - Do attendees identify as part of any underrepresented or marginalized groups in our field (e.g., based on gender, race, disability, etc.)?

• Financial need

Are you collaborating with CaNéoLabs in Quebec?

From March 5-7, Le Laboratoire en innovation ouverte (LLio) will host the CaNéoLabs Gathering in Quebec. The CaNeoLabs experience provides an opportunity to strengthen connections within the lab community and contribute to exploring the theme "Canadian Innovation Labs: A Future for Youth." For more event details, please visit the web page. 

In contrast, Future of Labs is singularly focused on evaluation and planning ahead for the field. We are in touch with the CaNéoLabs convening team and collaborating on some shared learning outcomes, as well as exploring some online events in advance of and in between each convening.