Here’s some inspiration, watch the video
A social issue (also called a social problem, social conflict, or social illness) is a problem that influences a number of individuals within a society. It is often the consequence of factors extending beyond an individual; however can also arise from conflicting opinions on what is perceived as a morally acceptable.
Here you will find some examples of social issues in different sectors:
- Political issues: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/democratic-innovations
- Economic Issues: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/collaborative-economy
- Public health: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/digital-health
- Education: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/diy-learn
- Employment: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/innovation-jobs
- Environment: http://www.nesta.org.uk/project/rethinking-parks
After completion of the tasks and resources provided you will have a better understanding of a social problem and what you need to do in order to define it.
A poorly defined problem, or a problem whose nuances you don’t completely understand, is much more difficult to solve than a problem you have clearly defined and analyzed.
The way a problem is worded and understood has a huge impact on the number, quality, and type of proposed solutions.
Take your time to develop a critical definition, and let this definition, and the analysis that follows, guide you through the process.
Take a blank sheet of paper and try to design the boundaries of the social challenge by following the steps below.
a) Frame the right question by collecting data and existing research to discover the reasons for the problem. You should fully understand the nature of the problem that needs solving.
b) Trigger Inspirations find what the demand is and the action required. To achieve this you should have a clear definition of what you know about the problem and decide what information is.
c) Recognise problems: map the needs, identify the needs and capacities, map physical assets (empty building or abandoned places) do some research about the local community, conduct surveys and interviews if possible.
d) From symptoms to causes: within the problems small seeds of solutions will appear. To delve further into causes it will involve in depth analysis of systems, processes, experience and perspectives.
This will lead you to identify the Who, When, Where and How questions.
Now you should be capable to define a route cause analysis.
Have a look at:
Videos
Define and analysing the problem – Example
Tools
Define and analyzing the problem – Checklist
Resources
The open book of social innovation – Young Foundation NESTA projects