Opening Universities to Stakeholders through Living Labs for Institutional Transformation
TIME
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
TRACKS
TRACK 1: Living Labs for Grand Societal Challenges
TRACK 2: Living Labs for Policies, Governance, collaboration and innovation ecosystems
TRACK 3: Living Labs for Inclusive Soci(et)al Engagement (main)
TRACK 4: Living Labs for Business and Emerging Technology
TRACK 5: Living Labs Operation, Methods, Tools, and Impact
ORGANISER
CATALISI Project
Target Audience
Universities and their representatives; Policy makers and city representatives; Companies and entrepreneurs; Researchers and academics; Living Lab representatives and practitioners; Innovators
Type of Session
Workshop
DESCRIPTION
In response to the challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in engaging external stakeholders, this workshop aims to co-develop innovative strategies to open universities to all key stakeholders. Through this initiative, we seek to facilitate mutually beneficial transformations of universities.
Building on accessibility challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions in opening to and engaging with external stakeholders within the CATALISI project, this workshop aims to co-design innovative strategies fostering collaboration and enhancing the accessibility of universities to all key stakeholders. The objective is to facilitate co-created, mutually beneficial institutional transformations across Europe and beyond.
The workshop will leverage the expertise of Living Lab experts to identify recommended approaches for stakeholder engagement and value creation. Through collaborative exercises, discussions, and exchanges, participants will explore effective actions informed by Living Lab methods and experiences.
Agenda
- 9:00 – 9:10 Introduction to CATALISI Project – Maria Carmela Fierro, APRE
- 9:10 – 9:20 CATALISI Acting Living Labs- ENoLL – Mariem Chakroun, ENoLL
- 9:20 – 9:40 Engaging External Stakeholders – CATALISI UCC Acting Living Labs – Martin Galvin, UCC
- 9:40 – 9:50 Coffee Break
- 9:50 – 10:50 World Cafe Discussions on External Stakeholders Engagement – All
- 10:50 – 11:10 Recap on World Cafe Discussions
- 11:10 – 11:30 Presentation of UVT Living Labs and its Experience with External Stakeholders – Alexandra Pectu, UVT Digital & Green Living Lab
- 11:30 – 11:50 Q&A
- 11:50 – 12:00 Conclusions and Closing
SPEAKER BIOS
Martin Galvin
Head of Civic & Community Engagement at University College Cork
Martin Galvin
Head of Civic & Community Engagement at University College CorkDr. Martin Galvin is Head of Civic & Community Engagement at University College Cork, Ireland. He is UCC’s university representative to the Irish Universities Association (IUA) Campus Engage initiative. He is a member of the Irish Government’s National Volunteering Strategy Research Group, and is a Higher Education Reform Expert with the EU Erasmus+ SHERE Programme, a network of experts supporting the modernisation of higher education in countries neighbouring the EU. Martin is an Adjunct Lecturer in Education, with an interest in democratic education and participation. He previously worked in the US in multicultural settings as an administrator, teacher and adult educator. He has published in leading journals, including the Journal of Education Policy.
Alexandra Petcu
Coordinator of Head of Innovation & Technology Transfer at West University of Timisoara
Alexandra Petcu
Coordinator of Head of Innovation & Technology Transfer at West University of TimisoaraCoordinator of the Digital & Green Living Lab within the West University of Timișoara (WUT), Head of Innovation & Technology Transfer Office (WUT) and Visiting Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (WUT). With previous experience in public policy on higher education and flexible learning paths for students and a special focus on the impact of the European Universities Initiatives towards a social and innovative EEA and EHEA, Alexandra Petcu coordinates the sustainability strategy of the UNITA - Universitas Montium European University Alliance within WUT. Alexandra Petcu has 15+ years’ experience in hazardous waste management and entrepreneurship for environmental protection; also, she has contributed to Romanian policymaking on environmental protection prior to Romania’s adherence to the European Union. She has managed the creation and financing of a sustainability driven student entrepreneurial ecosystem in the West Region of Romania, concluded through the launch of 73 new businesses in the region, all of which have adopted lower CO2 emission targets, biodiversity conservation objectives, the reduction of waste generation or adopting new digital solutions. From a scientific perspective, Alexandra Petcu holds a doctoral degree in Human Capital Accounting and her current research focuses on Living Lab methodologies in schools and Universities to support the education pillar of the EU twin transitiom.
Maria Carmela Fierro
Head of Management Unit at APRE and CATALISI Project coordinator
Maria Carmela Fierro
Head of Management Unit at APRE and CATALISI Project coordinatorMaria Carmela Fierro is head of management Unit in APRES and CATALISI project coordinator. She has an academic background in Political Science. She worked for private and public organizations supporting them in the management of EU Research and Innovation projects in different fields, financed by the European Commission, private foundations, regional and national administrations.
Mariem Chakroun
International Project Manager at ENoLL
Mariem Chakroun
International Project Manager at ENoLLMariem Chakroun is currently serving as an International Project Manager at the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), Mariem Chakroun holds an Advanced Master’s degree in European Business and Economic Policy from UCLouvain in Belgium. Her lifelong passion for the social aspects of the economy and international development has been a driving force in her career. Within CATALISI, Mariem plays a pivotal role in coordinating the implementation of Living Lab principles and methodologies in CATALISI HEIs’ ecosystems to facilitate their institutional transformation. Mariem’s international project management experience spans a range of domains, including public health, education and employment, arts and culture, and trade facilitation. Her unique educational background in engineering, combined with her dedication and interest in international cooperation, has shaped her successful career in this field.