As part of the ERASMUS+ project ULALABS: University Lab of Labs for Transformative Societal Innovation, Paloma Valdivia Vizarreta, Serra Húnter fellow, a lecturer and researcher from the Department of Educational Theory and Social Pedagogy at the Faculty of Education, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), undertook a research stay at the University of Stavanger (Norway) thanks to a Castillejo mobility grant (by the Ministry of Universities of the Government of Spain). Between 2 February 2024 and 30 May 2024, the researcher explored various projects and activities developed within Norwegian Living Labs, analysing their approach to collaborative innovation and social transformation.
Insights into Living Labs as Co-creation Spaces
Living Labs (LL) are open innovation environments where various actors—citizens, businesses, public administrations, and academia—work together to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world needs. From an integrative perspective, LLs combine three essential dimensions:
Space: Physical or virtual, designed to foster collaboration and experimentation in real-world contexts.
Method: A structured co-creation process that evaluates technologies, services, and methodologies through social, economic, and environmental lenses.
Action: Concrete projects aimed at directly impacting society, incorporating innovative technologies and sustainable methodologies.
Findings and Academic Contributions
The stay in Stavanger highlighted common factors and deep insights related to participation, themes addressed, and the diversity of needs that Living Labs can meet:
Inclusive Participation: LLs engaged a wide variety of actors, including citizens, urban planners, sociologists, technologists, and entrepreneurs, creating an environment of collaborative co-creation. In projects like Pedersgata Living Lab, collaboration revitalised urban areas with an inclusive and participatory approach.
Diverse Themes: Projects focused on key areas such as sustainable energy (MyBox Smart Energy Living Lab), social cohesion and collaborative housing models (Vindmøllebakken Living Lab), and inclusive digital education (Didaktisk Digitalt Verksted). These themes reflect a commitment to transformative innovation across social and environmental domains.
Interrelated Outcomes: LLs produced results addressing complex needs, such as reducing environmental footprints, strengthening social cohesion, and improving quality of life. Projects like Lyspären Innovasjonshus illustrated how technological innovation can integrate economic development with skill-building for entrepreneurship.
Methodological Adaptability: The flexibility of LLs enables them to address diverse needs and contexts, from urban spaces to university campuses. Their ability to adapt to different communities and objectives makes them a versatile tool for social change.
Methodology Applied and Results
During the research stay, the researcher implemented a structured methodology comprising the following stages:
Visits to Living Labs: Direct observation of the dynamics and methodologies employed in key projects to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
Proposal Based on Documentary Analysis: Development of an analytical tool based on prior studies and documentation about Living Labs, tailored to the characteristics observed in Stavanger projects.
Collaborative Validation: Sharing the developed material with the managers of the visited Living Labs, who reviewed and made adjustments to align the tool with their specific needs and approaches.
Dissemination and Publication: Publishing the results and validated material on the specialised blog hurukuta.blogspot.com, accessible to the research and professional community interested in Living Lab methodologies.
Dissemination Activities to Date
Professor Paloma Valdivia Vizarreta was hosted by Professor Tarja Irene Tikkanen, who facilitated a presentation of her research to the faculty at the University of Stavanger’s Institute of Pedagogy. During this event, findings and developed proposals were shared, fostering an exchange of ideas with departmental colleagues.
Additionally, the researcher participated in an interview on Oslo’s LatinoamériKa radio station, where she discussed the relevance of Living Labs as engines of social and educational innovation. In the interview, she emphasised how these methodologies can inspire similar projects in other contexts, promoting co-creation and community development.
Disclaimer:
This activity was produced within the framework of the José Castillejo overseas stay for young doctors, granted by the Ministry of Universities of the Government of Spain. Code CAS22/00353. We thank Professor Tarja Irene Tikkanen from the University of Stavanger. Framed in the project ERASMUS+ ULALABS: University Lab of Labs for Transformative Societal Innovation, 2023-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000157489.
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