Welcome to Vivacity YYC 2021! This year is a little different in that we will be working virtually with our incredibly dedicated and generous partners which include: Civic Tech YYC, Calgary Economic Development, the City of Calgary, Civic Innovation YYC and the Institute for Community Prosperity. This semester students will explore how a SMART city can build community and a sense of belonging by leveraging Tech for Good (T4G) and Digital Social Innovation (DSI).
Within the context of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, our class will examine how civic user testing may be leveraged to make our city more inclusive, resilient and sustainable. Students will work with and hear from some of Canada’s and Calgary’s most engaged innovators, community leaders and mentors who are using technology and design for the common good.Most importantly, students will explore breakthrough initiatives in Canada and internationally, by examining opportunities and challenges related to launching a Civic User Testing Group in our city
Students will be working on the following two challenge questions:
How might we leverage digital social innovation and tech for good in the city of Calgary?
How might we support the work of Civic Tech YYC to launch a Civic User Testing Group in Calgary?
Activation in our community
Winter Semester (January - April 2021)
Students from any post-secondary institution may register in this course [Civic Innovation SINV 4401] as an unclassified student at Mount Royal University. Notification of successful completion will be forwarded to the student’s home institution.
Throughout the semester, students will come together for 3 hours each Wednesday virtually with the lead instructor, Dr. Catherine Pearl, other faculty and community partners for learning, mentorship and coaching opportunities. Indeed, this year, we are thrilled to share that we have faculty participating from the University of Calgary, Dr. Sarah Skett and Kurtis Lesick, from the Alberta University of the Arts. Their expertise and insight will provide a particularly enriching learning experience this year for our Vivacity students!
Community Engagement
Opportunities for community engagement with our students and community partners will be held virtually throughout the semester. Please reach out to Dr. Pearl should you wish to participate.
Our Virtual Showcase (April 7, 2021)
A final showcase will feature student presentations on how we might engage and leverage digital social innovation and tech for good in the city of Calgary. It promises to be both engaging and informative, so stay tuned!