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Tristan Claridge

Tristan Claridge is a leading expert on social capital with more than two decades of experience spanning research, policy, and practice. He is the Founding President of the International Social Capital Association, Director of the Institute for Social Capital, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and a Visiting Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University. Tristan’s work focuses on developing a deeper, more precise understanding of social capital as a critical resource for individuals, organisations, and societies. His work bridges rigorous academic inquiry and practical implementation, offering innovative perspectives on how social capital influences individual and collective outcomes. His research focuses on capital-theoretic conceptions of social capital and the mechanisms by which it is formed, maintained, and eroded — with a particular interest in how people perceive, interpret, and act upon their social connections. A sought-after speaker, educator and researcher, Tristan has delivered keynote addresses, lectures, and training sessions worldwide. He regularly collaborates with other researchers, practitioners, and policymakers on projects that address complex social challenges, from community resilience to organisational development. Whether working with governments, NGOs, or universities, Tristan is committed to building the field of social capital and fostering collaboration among those striving to create more connected, resilient, and equitable societies.

Call for Expressions of Interest – Book Chapters Social Capital: Key Debates and Contending Perspectives

We are seeking Expressions of Interest for an edited volume to be published by Edward Elgar Publishing that brings together contending perspectives on social capital and the debates that continue to divide the field. Rather than advancing a single definition or framework, the volume treats conceptual disagreement as analytically productive, using it to clarify what […]

New Practice Paper Released: Social Capital Impact Assessment (SCIA)

The Institute for Social Capital has published a new Practice Paper introducing Social Capital Impact Assessment (SCIA), a governance-relevant approach to understanding how decisions shape long-term social capacity. Titled Social Capital Impact Assessment (SCIA): Using Social Capital as a Lens for Long-Term Impact, the paper sets out why social capital matters for long-term performance, legitimacy, […]

New COURSE on Disaster & Emergency Management and Social Capital

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new online course: Disaster & Emergency Management and Social Capital Enrol now with a 30% off introductory sale for a limited time Why This Course? In recent years, the importance of social capital in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery has become increasingly clear. Whether responding to a […]

New Research Report on Social Capital in Guernsey Unveiled

We are excited to announce the release of an innovative research report on social capital in Guernsey, offering insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the island’s social networks and culture, as well as the evolving challenges it faces. Using a cutting-edge methodology with similarities to a SWOT analysis in strategic planning, this study combines […]

“Social Capital in Practice” Now Available

We have just published our general guide for the practical application of social capital. This guide is the result of over 20 years of work on the theoretical and practical application of social capital. Tristan breaks down the complexity of social capital into more easily understood components and establishes the logic of social capital and provides a framework that is suitable for any application.

Social capital online training available in March 2024

In March 2024, we are running a 3-week course on social capital with three self-paced lessons and an optional Zoom tutorial each week. See the full course details here. Week 1: starting Monday, March 11, 2024 Self-paced lectures and readings on: Introduction to social capital History and evolution of social capital Understanding social capital Optional […]

Using ChatGPT to learn about social capital

ChatGPT is a useful platform to explore new subjects, but it’s not always reliable. It can be challenging to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the topic. Recently, I conducted a test on the accuracy of responses related to social capital, and unfortunately, a significant number of them were incorrect. […]

What is high and low, and positive and negative social capital?

Export Reference Download PDF Print We often talk about social capital in general terms, describing it as high or low, good or bad, positive or negative, or weak or strong. But social capital is complex and multidimensional. Does it make sense to talk about social capital in general terms, and what do we mean by […]