Higher education and universities
Social enterprises and universities are both key to solving some of the most pressing issues facing society today. Whether it is reducing economic inequality, creating sustainable growth or good employment opportunities for young people, social enterprises and universities will often share common goals. In fact, many universities will already be operating as social enterprises!
Universities are therefore key to the social enterprise sector. By acting as anchor institutions, universities are essential in both growing the knowledge base and growing the sector as a whole. This is achieved through conducting research, working in partnership with local and national social enterprises, as well as providing business support and incubation programmes to both start-up social enterprises and students in order to develop the next generation of social enterprise leaders.
How universities benefit from joining SEUK
We’ve been working with universities for over a decade – producing key research on the state of the sector, bringing social entrepreneurship to life for students, and helping academic institutions build stronger links with their local social enterprise communities. Find out how your university can benefit from being part of our network!
Some current members of our university network include:
Henley Business School, Imperial College London, KCL, The Open University, The University of Southampton, The University of Westminster, and The University of York.
Academic research
Benefits
- Enhance your research outputs.
- Help influence and shape thought-leadership and policy across the social enterprise sector.
- Increase reach and visibility of your research through collaborating with SEUK.
- Gain direct input from social enterprises, ensuring your work remains relevant and grounded in real-world challenges.
How?
- Access the largest repository of social enterprise data, including raw State of Social Enterprise Data, through the SEUK Knowledge Centre.
- Contribute thought-pieces and blogs to the SEUK Knowledge Centre.
- Partner with SEUK on research opportunities, accessing our network and data to help inform and promote your work.
- Hold focus groups with social enterprises on specific research topics to help shape your research.
Inspiring students and helping shape courses
Benefits
- Bring social entrepreneurship to life for students through direct access to social enterprise leaders.
- Enhance teaching with real-life business challenges that help students develop problem-solving and commercial skills.
- Enrich course content by connecting students with organisations tackling pressing social and environmental issues.
How?
- Access the world’s largest network of social enterprises, enabling you to find real life case studies, and examples of social entrepreneurship.
- Build real-life business cases into your courses, enabling students to understand and help overcome issues affecting social enterprises.
- Find suitable social enterprises for student internships, placements and volunteering – in order to give your students the best possible understanding of the work environment at social enterprises.
Local business support and community wealth building
Benefits
- Build stronger local networks and partnerships by connecting with social enterprises in your area.
- Grow understanding by learning from successful Social Enterprise Places and proven approaches from across the UK.
- Use on-the-ground evidence to design effective support programmes using insight into the challenges and opportunities facing local social enterprises.
- Raise the profile and impact of your local social enterprise support programmes through collaboration with SEUK on bespoke events and programmes.
How?
- Connect with social enterprises in your area to build your network.
- Tap into SEUK’s Social Enterprise Places programme. Access your local Place network, and get best practice tips from other Place networks.
- Through our regional SOSE papers, gain an understanding of what issues social enterprises are facing in your area, using our research to inform and improve your programme of events.
- Partner with SEUK to host events for your local network of social enterprises and businesses.
Facilities, procurement and social value support
Benefits
- Tap into the world’s largest network of social enterprises. Promote opportunities and connect directly with potential suppliers.
- Find social enterprise suppliers ready to work with you.
- Peer-learning and network opportunities on how best to work with social enterprises.
How?
- Access the SEUK Members’ Area, our thriving online community and share opportunities directly with members.
- Premium access to the Social Enterprise Directory, enabling you to find our proven list of Recommended Social Enterprise Suppliers.
- Regular networking meetings to connect and share best practice with peers and partners.
How do I join?
To join our network, fill out the joining form on the link below. For our university members, membership fees are £1,900 annually.
"It has been a rewarding experience working with social enterprises through SEUK's network, using our academic knowledge and expertise to increase their impact in the community, while also gaining real-world insights which have enriched our teaching and research."