Intro to Innovation

A practical taster session to demystify the jargon and kickstart your innovation journey

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Course Details

Intro to Innovation

Innovation isn’t the preserve of tech teams or creative specialists – it’s something all public servants can engage with. This short, online session offers a practical and accessible introduction to innovation in the public sector. It’s designed for anyone who’s curious about how new ideas take shape and what it means to do innovation well.

Rather than asking you to jump into tools or techniques, this session focuses on understanding the foundations. You’ll explore what innovation really is – and what it isn’t – and see how it applies across a range of roles, from frontline services to policymaking. The session introduces key ideas around defining problems, involving others in the process, and building an environment where new approaches can be explored.

The focus is on building confidence and sparking curiosity. You’ll leave with a clearer view of how innovation can support your work, along with examples and ideas you can reflect on. You’ll also be signposted to further learning, should you want to go deeper.

If you’re new to innovation or just looking for a place to start, this session offers a friendly and engaging first step. No preparation needed – just come ready to listen, learn and explore.

3 hours (half day)
Virtual or In-person

You'll leave being able to:

  • Define innovation in a public sector context, including its key characteristics and common misconceptions.
  • Describe how innovation can add value across a range of roles and functions, regardless of job title or department.
  • Explain the importance of effective problem definition as the starting point for successful innovation.
  • Use collaborative and democratic approaches to begin defining a problem, ensuring diverse input and shared understanding from the start
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Who is this course for?

Anyone - in any role or at any level - who wants to understand what 'innovation' actually means and how to start doing it.

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