alliance for innovation
The Alliance for Innovation is an international network of progressive governments and partners committed to transforming local government by accelerating the development and dissemination of innovations. Together with our partners, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and ASU, the Alliance promotes excellence in local government and builds a community of practice in local government innovation. At the 2007 Transforming Local Government (TLG) Conference, the former Innovation Groups, ICMA and ASU partnered to establish the new Alliance for Innovation. ASU was selected as the research partner to expand the research capability of the Alliance for Innovation. The Alliance delivers new approaches to research, innovation and the development of best practices. It brings together high performing local government practitioners along with private-sector partners and academic scholars. Through experimenting, learning, sharing and adapting, the Alliance has created a community of practice built by members dedicated to innovation. This community is accelerating the adoption of new ideas while furthering the work of local government. Through a blend of services, resources, information tools, publications, networking opportunities, workshops and conferences specifically targeted to local government, the Alliance can helps member governments identify how to build success in their community and generates studies and reports to inform professionals in local governments and academics who teach and conduct research on local government policy and management.
The Alliance national headquarters is located in Phoenix in the School of Public Affairs. The President of the Alliance and two of its permanent staff members are located here, and six persons are located in other parts of the United States. The Center for Urban Innovation is ASU’s operational link to the Alliance, and supports the programs and publications of the Alliance by conducting research on innovative practices in local governments and the factors that contribute to innovation. Karen Thoreson, the President of the Alliance for Innovation, is the Associate Director of the Center.
Four Marvin Andrews Fellows from the ASU MPA program are employed in the Center and assigned to conduct research for the Alliance. The Center has prepared major studies for the Alliance on pressing problems and emerging issues in local government and contributes to ongoing activities including monitoring innovative practices in local governments, writings reports, making presentations, and offering training.
The Board of Directors for the Alliance includes three faculty members appointed by the President of ASU.
The top priorities of the Alliance are identifying major trends in local government and leading practices that can help local governments address major issues, providing effective research, and creating a repository of information on innovative practices and the process of innovation in the Knowledge Network [make active link].
Regular members in the Alliance for Innovation are local government organizations, and all employees, elected and appointed officials, and advisory boards are eligible to utilize services. All types and forms of government are eligible for membership in the Alliance for Innovation. An Academic Network of scholars involved in local government management research has been formed. The Alliance for Innovation is developing a research agenda to expand knowledge that will help local governments to improve their practices and better deliver services.
The Alliance for Innovation will continue to stress the engagement and networking among members at the regional level that has been the hallmark of IG. The regional directors and advisory boards will continue to be actively involved and guide the Alliance for Innovation.
The Alliance for Innovation creates a high level of ongoing interaction between practitioner and academic spheres. The President and board members of the Alliance have participated in panels at meetings of the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Public Affairs (NASPAA) and the American Society of Public Administrating starting in fall, 2006, and faculty members from ASU and other universities has participated in panels on innovation at the annual meetings of the International City/County Management Association and the Transforming Local Government Conference of the Alliance for Innovation.
The website of the Alliance for Innovation and access to the Knowledge Network provided jointly with ICMA is http://transformgov.org/en/home .