INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE “ACADEMY OF INNOVATION LEADERS” PROJECT
INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE “ACADEMY OF INNOVATION LEADERS” PROJECT

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: In the text, we take up the issue of the innovative potential of social sciences, seemingly underestimated in the society. We analyse the possibilities of implementing proj- ects in the field of social sciences into the non-academic world, including the commercial one. Throughout the text, we refer to the role of innovation in the society, the specificity of social innovations along with the presentation of their original scheme, as well as barriers to innova- tion in social sciences. Research Aim: The aim of the undertaken analyses is to show the innovative potential of so- cial sciences on the example of the “Academy of Innovation Leaders” project, with particular emphasis put on pedagogical sciences. We look for answers to the questions on the essence of social innovation, as well as what the innovative potential of social sciences is. How can this potential be strengthened and realised? Evidence-based Facts: The text is based mainly on the analysis of the literature on the subject of social innovation, partly on issues related to the evaluation of scientific disciplines, as well as on our own experience related to research as part of the “Academy of Innovation Leaders” project, implemented at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, in the years 2022–2024. The scientific team was supposed to evaluate the project and develop a model of implementation in both social sciences and humanities. Summary: The innovative potential of social sciences is large and untapped in the social prac- tice. In the light of the literature on the subject and own research, the problem is the lack of awareness of its existence and readiness to use it in the social practice. The blame for this state of affairs is located both on the side of science and external entities (from the so-called “so-cio-economic environment”). The basic barrier to the involvement of social sciences in the so- cio-economic development is the belief in the superiority of basic research over the applied, or the advantage of theory over empirical research. The interrelationships between these spheres are not noticed.

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