KU Lighthouse, SundHUB & Actory are hosting an innovation program for students who are curious about innovation and sustainability.

It is for students who want to get their hands dirty with real-life problems, who want to learn new methods for idea generation and development of new solutions.

The program focuses on teamwork and methods for problem understanding, collaboration with stakeholders and the early phase of idea development. The program is designed around specific challenges in close collaboration with problem-holders.

For everyone

The innovation program is open for all students at the entire University of Copenhagen and other educational institutions, as we want to put together students in interdisciplinary teams to provide as many perspectives as possible to the real life challenges.

We take the participants through themes such as forming the right team, identifying the need for new solutions, user involvement, prototype development and pitch training. You will spent approximately 3-4 hours a week on the programme.

The goal is that students generate ideas for how to handle the challenges. At the end of the program, each team will have a well-defined idea to hand over to the case provider and/or continue developing on their own.

More information about the challenges and case providers will be released later.

25/10 – 29/11

The innovation program is about ‘Sustainability & Health’. It is about you. It’s about me. It’s about all of us. It is about the way we live our life today – and how we can ensure the good life in a future where we face great challenges of the climate crisis.

It is about making a difference and creating a better (and healthier) life for all of us. We dive into three sub-cases, which put a spotlight on different target groups and perspectives.

• Plant-based as the new normal

How might we create stronger incentives for producers or consumers to increase plant-based food in the daily nutrition?

• Mental health & climate anxiety

How might we change climate anxiety to climate action to improve the life of specific target groups who are affected by the mental consequences of climate change?

• Health issues & climate change

How might we create interventions for better lifestyle, decease monitoring or prevention for some of the target groups with high risk of illness due to climate changes?

Ideas and solutions

You will select one of these challenges and be set in a team. Together you will dive into a specific part of the challenge and propose an intervention for a specific target group who face the challenge. An Intervention broadly includes any kind of product, procedure, service, policy, program, a business proposal or an intervention that can create change. It can be any action that impacts on a social, economic or societal outcome. We ask you to focus on innovative thinking by both looking into new ways of dealing with your challenge (new ideas) and how it can be implemented and realized in the real world (feasibility).

Teamwork

We believe that the most creative and diverse ideas rise from strong teamwork where different opinions, profiles, and competencies come into play. You will work in interdisciplinary teams, which will broaden your network and provide insights when you work across nationalities, academic backgrounds, and experiences. We set you up in teams of up to 3-5 persons the first day of the program.

Everyone is welcome. You do not need any special prerequisites – come as you are – and we will help you find your place at the program.

Save the dates

Please note that only the workshops colored green are mandatory, the others are inspirational talks and can be joined if you and your team feel like it.

October 25 – Kickoff – 16.30-21.30

October 27 – Inspirational Talks & teamwork – 16.30-19:00

November 1 – Problem, need & explorations – 16.30-21.15

November 8 – Inspirational Talks & teamwork – 16.30-19:00

November 15 – Prototype, test & pitch – 16.30-21.15

November 17 – Inspirational Talks & Team sparring 1:1 – 16.30-19:00

November 22 – Team sparring 1:1 (can be online) – individually planned with mentor

November 29 – Final event & feedback from case providers – 16.30-19:30

What is in it for you?

By participating in an innovation program, you learn about interdisciplinarity, collaboration, innovation, sustainability, partnerships, project management, etc.

• You are expanding your network among both students and companies
• You use your subject knowledge in practice
• You get the opportunity to deal with health & sustainability issues from your everyday life
• You become a part of a unique community of students with similar interests
• You get a certificate of participation after the program

Sign up now

Date: 25/10 – 29/11 2022

This innovation programme is in English

Application deadline: October 9

Sign up HERE