INN527 Innovation, societal challenges and co-creation

Contents and structure

Innovation is critical to address urgent contemporary societal challenges such as climate change, food security, demographic change and well-being. This begs however the question, what kind of innovation and how to organize challenge-driven innovation? This course draws on innovation theory to explore solutions that tackle societal challenges. It goes beyond traditional innovation theories focused on technological solutions and market-driven innovation and includes more recent and broader notions of innovation such as grassroot innovation, social innovation and mundane innovation.

The course helps students reflect on the usefulness of different theories of innovation to address societal challenges and identify respective strengths and weaknesses. The students will learn how to ‘translate’ existing concepts into practical, concrete ‘theories of change’. This involves a step-by-step methodology that describes how and why a possible idea, intervention or solution is expected to lead to change drawing on causal analysis, identification of key stakeholders as well as risks and barriers. Societal challenges are typically wicked problems that defy a quick fix or piecemeal solution. This means the problem is characterized by complexity, uncertainty and contestation.

The course therefore introduces and elaborates on experimentation in living labs. This refers to a user-centric research methodology for sensing, prototyping, validating and refining complex solutions in multiple and evolving real life contexts. Typically living labs draw on both technological and social innovations, involve co-creation with stakeholders and learning from failure. The course will provide ample examples of living labs including a site visit. Finally, the students will also be encouraged to reflect on the limitations of this methodology.

Students who wish to can also work on their own idea through this course. Here, they will receive feedback on how their idea addresses societal challenges and how it can be improved. The course will also be open to other students who want to learn more about how innovation, societal challenges, and co-creation are interconnected.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

The student

-will have a comprehensive understanding of different theories of innovation that cut across technological, social, institutional and governance solutions to societal challenges

-will understand the challenges involved in problem-solving and solution development when dealing with wicked problems

-will be familiar with and be able to critically reflect on the following concepts and methodologies: theory of change, co-creation, living labs.

Skills

The student

-will be able to translate abstract innovation concepts into concrete and practical theories of change

-will be able to design and develop a living lab around an innovation targeting a societal challenge

General competency

The student

-will acquire competence in concise writing, valuing literature, argumentation and reasoning, reflection on science and society, presentation skills

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Lectures, case-based seminars, discussion seminars, simulations/roleplaying and site-visits

Compulsory learning activities

- Compulsory attendance in seminars and a site-visit

- Presentation in classroom, including peer-to-peer feedback from students and external stakeholders

Assessment

Written home exam that draws on course literature and based on given questions. Scope 2000 words, 1 week. Evaluation A-F (F corresponds to no pass).

Examination support material

All support materials are permitted

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