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This week, our conversation continues with Steve Robinson, interim President & Vice-Chancellor at Brandon University\xa0in Manitoba. We tackle one of the toughest questions for today\u2019s higher ed leaders: how to encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus.

Many academics, Steve explains, regard the drive to innovation with a great deal of suspicion, as part of modern trends to neoliberalization and commercialization of the academy.\xa0 But really, innovation means \u201cthinking creatively, and finding solutions to new problems\u201d \u2013 which is exactly what academics have always done in their own research. Now, universities and colleges are simply trying to apply some of that same creativity to the way we operate as institutions. Higher ed has the opportunity now to be intentional and strategic, \u201cleading the way\u201d rather than being driven by external forces when we have no choice.

Campus leaders need to reassure staff and faculty, dispel anxiety about innovation, and encourage innovators to step forward. Steve identifies 3 ways to incentivize innovation, starting with making funding available for new projects. The president\u2019s office needs to send the signal throughout the institution that we are willing to consider new strategies, programming, processes and infrastructure \u2013 even when we may not be sure it will pay off. Incentive funds for innovation would be ideal, whether carved from existing budgets or raised through foundations and donors.

Even more important than money, administrators need to make it clear that they are willing to \u201cgo out on a limb a little\u201d and experiment with new pedagogies, program collaborations with other institutions, and more \u2013 and assuming some risk, although still being careful stewards of public money. With most innovations, there is not absolute certainty of success from the beginning.

Finally, colleges and universities need to recognize the contributions made by innovators, even if only to learn from their failed experiments. Existing criteria for promotion and tenure need to be expanded.

Steve concludes by observing that \u201cmost innovation means discomfort for somebody,\u201d but \u201cthe discomfort is worth feeling.\u201d

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Steve Robinson\xa0became interim President and Vice-Chancellor at Brandon University in August 2017, after serving two years as VP Academic and Provost, and several terms as Associate Dean of Arts, Acting Dean of Arts, and chair of the Philosophy department. Steve previously taught at the University of Guelph and University of Regina.

Shot on location at Brandon University in April 2018, by campus videography staff \u2013 thank you again!

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We\u2019ve tackled this topic multiple times in past episodes of 10K \u2013 check out the \u201cCulture of Innovation\u201d playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLodJ8ParJmYUlDXmluj1Xm80dXc8GybtE

And there are more episodes to come!\xa0 To be sure you don\u2019t miss them, subscribe today!\xa0 http://eduvation.ca/subscribe/

And if you would like to host a 10K Site Visit at your campus, see http://eduvation.ca/twk/site-visits/for further information!

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