The Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) has been approved by the University of Waterloo Senate for another 5 years of operation!
We are sincerely grateful for all of you who contributed your feedback and advice throughout the process, and the information provided for our Renewal Report; this success would not have been achievable without the confidence and support of our many members and collaborators.
In addition, WICI is excited to announce that the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR) has been approved as a sub-centre of WICI.
What does this mean for WICI and WISIR going forward?
WICI and WISIR operations will not see any dramatic change, although the members of WISIR will also be invited to become members of WICI, and the two centres will be able to communicate and collaborate more effectively and more efficiently. Some shared research projects and events will have access to support from WICI administration and a potentially broader mutual audience.
Administratively, WICI and WISIR will work together to report updates and activities to the membership and governance structures simultaneously. The WICI Steering Committee, Board and International Scientific Advisory Committee membership will be updated to ensure Social Innovation experts are also well represented in our governance.
WICI and WISIR will be working together over the next five years to continue offering diverse complex systems and social innovation activities and events our collective members value. In addition, WICI will shift administrative priorities to offer more support with larger multidisciplinary grant applications, and to support the continued development of a Canadian Network for Complex Systems. Both centres will also work together to explore dedicated complexity and social innovation education and training tools and/or programs at University of Waterloo. WICI’s Five-year Plan provides more information on our strategic directions for the next five years.
We would like to thank our Associate Director and Steering Committee members for their extra support over the duration of the renewal process. We look forward to resuming regular activities!