Social Innovations and Crises: Avenues for Reflection and Action from our 2021 CRISES International Conference

This review article draws connections between ideas expressed in some key presentations of the 6th International Conference of the Centre for Research on Social Innovations (CRISES). First, in reference to the lectures of Nancy Fraser and Laic Blondiaux, we discuss the interconnectedness of crises (democratic, economic, ecological, and now sanitary). Then, in relation to the lecture by Janice Fine and the one by Dominique Meda and Julie Battilana, we review transformations in the world of work and the challenges it faces in terms of social and environmental justice. Finally, in reference to the lectures of Flor Avelino and of Jean-Baptiste Comby, which we set up in dialogue with each other, we examine the capacity of social innovations to reproduce or transform power relations. We conclude our overview by drawing our own conclusions on what these analyses mean for our work as researchers.