The Social Innovation Institute (SII) entered a challenge hosted by Alcanna, the Edmonton Police Service, and the Edmonton Police Foundation to solve the liquor store theft crisis in Edmonton. SII was selected as the top submission and has been asked to test out our idea in a field trial. Our solution is to launch a campaign to raise awareness about organized crime groups coordinating thefts of liquor which is then sold to bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. To learn more about the details of the liquor store theft crisis, our proposed solution, and the field trial, please visit this page.

We’re looking for your help! We’d like to bring students, staff, and faculty together in groups to go through a brainstorming activity (also known as a design jam) to identify what would make people care about liquor store thefts and how they can effectively be a part of the solution. Through participating in the design jam you’ll learn how to take a human-centered approach to a problem and be a part of improving the wellbeing of our city.

How can you and your students be involved:

  • Request to have a design jam session hosted for your students during their class or outside of class time. Design jams can be adapted to better meet the learning objectives of the class.
  • Register for one of our design jams
    • December 8, 1-3 p.m.
    • December 10, 12-2 p.m.
    • December 15, 9-11 a.m.

Please contact Heather Braid at heather.braid@macewan.ca to request a session or if you have any questions or ideas about this initiative.

From the Social Innovation Institute