The Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Program (SISE) of Tulane University is excited to announce the addition of the Law/Culture/Innovation Initiative (LCI) with Dr. Ron Gard as Director and Dr. Elizabeth Townsend Gard as Faculty Advisor. LCI will serve as an interdisciplinary legal and cultural support space for various stage projects, whether they are growing into larger university projects or emerging as start-ups or non-profits. LCI seeks to make productive connections among groups and individuals that would otherwise be unaware of each other, as we tend to live in our own disciplinary silos. LCI also will provide students with learning opportunities in law, business, and social entrepreneurship at Tulane, in the larger New Orleans community, and beyond.
LAW. We see law as a common point of connection. All projects at some point confront legal questions. LCI tackles this problem from a number of angles: training law students in social entrepreneurship principles; connecting law students and pro bono attorneys to LCI projects; and eventually creating an interactive research resource for the Tulane and larger New Orleans and Gulf Coast communities.
CULTURE. We also see the importance of understanding the culture that fuels innovation. To that end, LCI’s second step will be the initiating of opportunities for further study and understanding of projects that offer innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to local, national, and global issues. Examples of such opportunities include an open access journal, connecting with study groups on key issues and relevant community events.
INNOVATION. We define innovation broadly, as impactful projects and solutions for real-world problems. These could be programs within the university, non-profits, social ventures, or traditional entrepreneurial start-ups. We are interested in early stage projects and solutions, as they grow and become sustainable on their own.
In its first year, beginning in January 2014, LCI will focus on two major activities: building community and connections, and finding training opportunities for students. These training opportunities will primarily be through the SISE Minor courses and pro bono placements for law students. Initially, 5-10 projects will be chosen from students, faculty, staff, and community members for their individual potential as a pilot project for LCI. Project leaders must be willing to donate at least 10 hours a year to help other projects with their expertise. To date, confirmed projects include: Launchange (student project), TaxJazz (faculty project), and Where Y’Art (Propeller-based community project).
In its second year, beginning in January 2015, LCI will launch an open access journal, continue to develop academic course- work, and initiate the development of a legal database resource offering support for social ventures, projects, non-profits, and early stage start-ups.
If you are interested in becoming involved with LCI, either as a student, a project director, a mentor, community partner or affiliate member, please contact Dr. Ron Gard directly at rgard@tulane.edu.