The Brock LINC is launching a new series of events intended to make innovation part of the everyday conversation at the University.

Innovation Socials focus on bringing people together in a casual and social environment to learn or talk about different types of innovation in school, work and everyday life.

The monthly events will include free food and drinks, the opportunity to meet new people from across the University and the chance to have conversations about hot topics of the day.

The first Innovation Social, held Tuesday, March 7, will tackle the topic of “Innovation in Women’s Equity,” which coincides with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of #EmbraceEquity.

Held in partnership with Brock’s Human Rights and Equity Office, the event will include conversations around where people see innovation in women’s equity initiatives, and what they would like to see going forward, whether at Brock or in the broader community.

The Brock LINC welcomes suggestions for future Innovation Socials, and is building a roster of future topics, including:

• Tech innovation in the University: How are artificial intelligence platforms such as ChatGPT affecting people at work, school and home?
• Innovation in decolonization: How are different groups in the University approaching decolonization? What are some of the best practices that can be shared or ideas for the future?
• Innovation in the workplace: How are changes to workplace models (hybrid, remote, four-day work weeks) influencing working lives?
• The role of Brock as an anchor institution in Niagara: How does our role as a university impact the local community? What should Brock be doing going forward?

Other topics for exploration include innovation in plant-based food production, innovation in health care and health technology, and innovation in mobility and transportation.

The first Innovation Social will be held Tuesday, March 7 at 10 a.m. in the Rankin Family Pavilion on Level 300. Registration and more details can be found on the Brock LINC website.