Authors of SSIR’s most popular articles in 2019 explored daunting social issues, including gaps in mental health treatments for youth, dangerous levels of plastic pollution in the oceans, and the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Their insightful takes on familiar problems and solutions—collaboration, donor engagement, change management, and others—resonated for many of SSIR's readers, one of whom wrote this in response to SSIR's most-viewed article of 2019 on professionalism and bias:
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“In attempting to enact in the workplace the recommendations made in this article, there is the thorny matter of how we forge a new medium in which to function well and fairly as a collective when also prioritizing respect for and expression of the customs and preferences of each of the individuals who make up the group.”
For an exploration of ways to meet that and other challenges facing the social innovation community, read on:
1. The Bias of Professionalism Standards
Professionalism has become coded language for white favoritism in workplace practices that more often than not privilege the values of white and Western employees and leave behind people of color.
2. The New Practice of Public Problem Solving
A new class of innovators is advancing the public good by figuring out what people actually need and then testing, improving, and scaling solutions that may already be out there. Here are the four elements of their method. Open access for non-subscribers to this article has been provided through January. Visit our subscriptions page to support SSIR's mission to inform and inspire leaders of social change.
3. The Crisis of Youth Mental Health
Children and adolescents confront a mental health treatment gap in which many who need help do not get it. Philanthropy can help fill this gap by investing in new models of delivering care. Open access for non-subscribers to this article has been provided through January. Visit our subscriptions page to support SSIR's mission to inform and inspire leaders of social change.
4. How Philanthropic Collaborations Succeed, and Why They Fail
Funders need to push past politeness and hammer out expectations for how their collective action will create value—for beneficiaries, grantees, and themselves—beyond what they could do alone.
5. Eight Myths of US Philanthropy
By examining the eight common myths of philanthropy—including who gives, how, and with what impact—we can better comprehend the breadth and diversity of giving. Open access for non-subscribers to this article has been provided through January. Visit our subscriptions page to support SSIR's mission to inform and inspire leaders of social change.
6. Behavioral Economics and Donor Nudges: Impulse or Deliberation?
Charitable organizations can use insights from behavioral economics to help people follow through on their impulsive and deliberative intentions to give. This article explores nudge techniques, their use in various fields, and how to apply them to increase charitable giving.
7. ‘Checkbox Diversity’ Must Be Left Behind for DEI Efforts to Succeed
Good intentions to increase the diversity of organizations have led to checkbox approaches that don't account for hegemony, marginalization, and the creation of sustainable shifts in power. Without a closer examination of these practices, we may wake up in a few years wondering what went wrong.
8. A Trauma Lens for Systems Change
Although growing science on the effects of trauma sheds new light on how to address intractable social issues, systemic change can be difficult. The Missouri Model lays out a framework, based on the science of trauma, that organizations can use to shift culture and policies and improve outcomes. Open access for non-subscribers to this article has been provided through January. Visit our subscriptions page to support SSIR's mission to inform and inspire leaders of social change.
9. Fighting Plastic Pollution With Bags That Dissolve in Water
As recognition of a global plastic waste crisis grows, founders of the Chilean company Solubag have developed what they see as a promising solution: plastic bags that dissolve in water. Open access for non-subscribers to this article has been provided through January. Visit our subscriptions page to support SSIR's mission to inform and inspire leaders of social change.
10. The Downside of Social Impact Bonds
After more than three years researching social impact bonds, a filmmaker argues we need to consider the ways they might be doing more harm than good.
Read more stories by SSIR Editors.