DATE & TIME

1 October 2026, 15:45 – 17:15

ROOM 
Toucan A
TRACKS

TRACK 1: Living Labs for Grand Societal Challenges

TRACK 2: Living Labs for Policies, Governance, Collaboration and Innovation Ecosystems

TRACK 5: Living Labs Operations, Methods, Tools, and Impact

Description

This hands-on workshop explores the relational work of key actors in Living Labs. Participants experience systemic collaboration, reflect on their professional role, and examine how relationships and tensions influence collaboration and impact in complex ecosystems. 

Agenda

TimeItem
15:45 – 16:051. Introduction: Bridging and Relational Work in Living Labs
Welcome and introduction to the workshop goals. Introduction to the Bridging Professionals training programme developed at Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Reflection on why collaboration in Living Labs often involves relational and professional challenges. Framing the workshop as an experiential and reflective learning space.
16:05 – 16:252. Exploring Collaboration as a System
Participants select a Living Lab, partnership or innovation ecosystem from their own practice. Short guidance for a systemic exploration focused on relationships, roles and interactions. Exploring how collaboration takes shape in the selected context. Identifying key actors, connections and experienced tensions.
16:25 – 16:553. Experiencing Relational Dynamics
Further exploration of the selected case through experiential and visual work. Working with positioning, connections, distance and tension within the system. Observing patterns of interaction without immediate problem-solving. Exploring how professional roles relate to the wider system.
16:55 – 17:154. Reflection and Dialogue: Meaning-Making in Practice
Reflection on professional role, relational dynamics and systemic patterns. Dialogical exchange and perspective sharing. Identifying takeaways for participants’ own Living Lab or research practice.

Facilitators

Dolf Nijsen

Lecturer, Fontys University of Applied Sciences