Time
14.00 – 15.30
Room
| Aria |
Chaired by
Koen Vervoort
Type of Session
Research Session
Description
Following the evaluation procedure the OLLD evaluation committee has accepted the research papers. All papers reflect on the theme of the conference “LIVING LABS FOR REGENERATIVE FUTURES: Connecting Local and Global Innovation Ecosystems ” and have been classified according to its sub-tracks. These are: TRACK 1: Living Labs for Grand Societal Challenges; TRACK 2: Living Labs for Policies, Governance, collaboration and innovation ecosystems; TRACK 3: LLs for Inclusive Soci(et)al Engagement; TRACK 4: Living Labs for Business and Emerging Technology; TRACK 5: Living Labs Operation, Methods, Tools, and Impact.
Papers selected by the Evaluation Committee
- The marriage between Living labs and citizen science: Applied insights and future directions
- Defining the Role of Living Labs to Clinical Research: Initial Findings for Framework Development
- Soil literacy activities in the framework of soil health Living Labs
- From lab to market: Catalyzing research-driven innovations with a novel process model
- The Montado Living Lab: Catalyzing soil health through formal and informal co-construction networks
The marriage between Living labs and citizen science: Applied insights and future directions
Abstract: Citizen-centric knowledge generation (citizen science) and citizen-centric open innovation (living labs) are powerful, complementary approaches for citizen engagement in the process of societal transformation. However, even joining fundamental traits, both Citizen Science and Living Labs communities have historically suffered absence of systematic connection, and institutional initiatives and policies around open science and open innovation have kept silos, with the negative consequence of the absence of a firm link between high quality scientific knowledge and impactful innovation. In this work, we support the most needed acceleration of the approach between the communities of Citizen Science and Living Labs. For the identification of common traits and opportunities for collaboration, we designed and implemented a series of specific workshops, based on a collection of four case studies, which were curated from contributions from different institutional partners in varied contexts, reflecting practical dimensions of participatory science and citizen-centric innovation. Two specific workshops were carried out at the major conferences on Citizen Science (ECSA’24) and Living Labs (ENoLL’24), developing as an outcome a joint narrative for the joint added value offered. Our work shows relevant evidence on common values and methods, clear examples of collaboration, and a proposal for an institutional roadmap and further steps.
Key words: Citizen Science, Living Labs, Open Science, Open Innovation, Policy information.
Rosa Arias
ECSA Board of Directors, CEO & Founder at Science For Change
Rosa Arias
ECSA Board of Directors, CEO & Founder at Science For ChangeRosa Arias is a Chemical Engineer and MSc in Energy with extensive experience in odour pollution and citizen science. She is the creator of the OdourCollect App and the CEO and founder of Science for Change, where she works to bring science closer to society and to foster high-impact social innovations. She coordinates the European projects D-NOSES, NEWSERA, COALESCE and PULSE-ART, in the fields of citizen science, science communication, the arts and education. She is passionate about the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), collaborative research, and the role of women in science. Rosa is a regular speaker and keynote speaker at numerous scientific conferences and forums in her areas of expertise.
Defining the Role of Living Labs to Clinical Research: Initial Findings for Framework Development
Abstract: Integrating research into clinical environments is critical for advancing healthcare, yet various barriers hinder healthcare professionals from participating in externally initiated research efforts. This study investigates how Living Labs can support the integration of such research into routine clinical practice. Through a mixed-methods questionnaire distributed to Living Lab practitioners, we identify key barriers including time constraints, misalignment between research agendas and clinical needs, and inadequate incentive structures. The qualitative data about Living Lab offering were thematically analysed and mapped across four research phases, planning, preparation, implementation, and dissemination, as defined by the Living Lab Management System. Preliminary results, based on responses from seven Living Labs, suggest that Living Labs can enhance research relevance, foster co-ownership among professionals, and serve as hubs for multi-stakeholder engagement. They also provide mechanisms for academic recognition and professional development, which may act as incentives for clinician participation. The outcome of this work is an initial evidence-informed framework that outlines actionable strategies to address common barriers to clinical research implementation.
Key words: Clinical environments, framework, innovation, healthcare professionals, implementation
Despoina Petsani
Research Associate, Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, AUTH
Despoina Petsani
Research Associate, Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, AUTHHaving a background in computer engineering, Despoina Petsani pursued her passion to support people health and social wellbeing, by becoming a Living Lab researcher, with experience in assistive technologies and decision support systems for the continuum of care. With years of experience in the IT and healthcare sector and passionate about improving health and social well-being, she specializes in assistive technologies and decision support systems. She has extensive experience managing EU-funded projects and collaborating with international research teams. She holds an MSc in Medical Informatics and diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She is currently PhD Candidate and Research Associate in the Assistive Technologies and Silver Science Research Group in the Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, School of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She was also the Harmonization Body Coordinator of the VITALISE H2020 project and currently, she is co-chairing the ENoLL Living Lab Harmonization Working Group and the ENoLL Health & Wellbeing Working Group. She was also member of the Organizing Committee of the Health and Wellbeing Living Lab Symposium 2024 and 2025.
Soil literacy activities in the framework of soil health Living Labs
Abstract: The iCOSHELLs project, part of the Horizon Europe initiative, supports the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe,’ aiming to achieve healthy soils by 2030. This project establishes six Living Labs (LLs), where local stakeholders co-design and test solutions for improving soil health.
The main challenge is the significant gap in knowledge about soil health, which hinders sustainable practices and policy advocacy. Modern lifestyles disconnect people from natural ecosystems, reducing appreciation for soil’s role in ecosystem resilience, climate action, and food security. To foster soil literacy, the project adopts a more-than-human perspective, recognizing soil as a dynamic, living entity. Four primary methods are being developed and tested in the LLs:
- **Local Soil**: Sensitizes participants to soil as a living entity by discussing its values, capabilities, needs, and senses.
- **Community Soil**: Explores soil as a community stakeholder, leading to the creation of a Community Soil Manifesto.
- **Systems Soil**: Discusses soil from a systems perspective, covering climate justice, historical land use, and indigenous knowledge.
- **Soil Walk**: Involves a facilitated walk to encounter and discuss soil from a more-than-human perspective.
Key words: Tools, design, more-than-human, ecosystems, co-creation.
Hayley Ho
Researcher & senior designer, RISE
Hayley Ho
Researcher & senior designer, RISEHayley Ho is a researcher & senior designer at RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, with expertise on dialogues, processes and speculative prototypes from citizen and more-than-human perspectives for inclusive participation, systems thinking, and societal transformations. Previously, she has experience working in design consultancy and cultural initiatives internationally.
From lab to market: Catalyzing research-driven innovations with a novel process model
Abstract: Innovation procurement is often dominated by market demand over research-driven solutions. To truly unlock academia’s potential, we need comprehensive and systemic approaches. While agile piloting shows promise, commercialisation requires tailored support and pragmatic methods to accommodate early-stage innovations. Effective innovation ecosystems, accessible Living Labs, and dedicated innovation orchestrators are all crucial enablers.
This paper introduces a novel process model for catalysing viable business from academic research, aiming to find sustainable solutions for broader societal problems. Informed by insights from the FinEst Mini-Piloting Programme (2021-2024), this model addresses its successes and shortcomings in fostering collaboration and achieving commercialisation. It is designed to unlock the commercial potential of academic research within agile piloting programmes supported by Living Labs and innovation ecosystems.
The model bridges the gap between academic research and successful commercial rollout through a four-phase process: 1) Academic Discovery, 2) Collective Explication, translating research outcomes to match real-world problems via co-creation; 3) Agile Development, iteratively developing and validating solutions in collaboration; 4) Commercial Delivery, featuring a phased rollout. This proposed model and the learnings from the FinEst Mini-Piloting Programme offer a practical contribution to enhancing the commercialisation of research-driven innovations and encouraging academia to harvest the full potential of Living Labs.
Key words: Research-based innovation, Innovation ecosystem, Agile piloting, Living Labs, Innovation procurement
Anne-Mari Sandell
Project Manager and Service Designer, Forum Virium Helsinki
Anne-Mari Sandell
Project Manager and Service Designer, Forum Virium HelsinkiAnne-Mari Sandell works as Senior Project Manager in Forum Virium Helsinki successfully leading and supporting projects fostering technological innovations and engaging living-lab communities. Her expertise is particularly in running agile piloting programmes and in the application of service design methodologies for co-creating inclusive smart city solutions. During her 16-year career in Forum Virium Helsinki, Anne-Mari has played a key role in several international projects, particularly those focused on developing future robotics, fostering smart city innovations in the field of healthcare, and cultivating living-lab ecosystems. She holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Vaasa and has recently completed a Master's degree in Service Design at Laurea University of Applied Sciences.
The Montado Living Lab: Catalyzing soil health through formal and informal co-construction networks
Abstract:
The Montado, a complex farming system, faces significant threats from global pressures pushing towards either agricultural intensification or land abandonment, despite its crucial role in delivering high-quality production alongside diverse ecosystem services.
We introduce the Montado Living Lab (Montado LL)1, a Living Lab centered on the Portuguese agro-silvo-pastoral system Montado and the Tertulia’s do Montado2, a transdisciplinary dialogue platform that aim to collectively frame the sustainability problems of the Montado for better alignment of research and non-academic activities.
This study analyzes how the formal structure and collaborative approach of the Montado LL and the Informal structure of Tertúlias do Montado facilitate the generation of context-specific knowledge, testing and validation of innovations, overall driving processes for the adoption of sustainable soil and other management practices and, the production of evidence-based knowledge to inform, adapt and develop policies.
Key words: Agro-silvo-pastoral, Soil, Transdisciplinarity
Dr Susana Filipe
Executive Director, CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and Sustainability
Dr Susana Filipe
Executive Director, CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and SustainabilityDr Susana Filipe has an academic background in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering and Science. Since 2023 she is the Executive Director of CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and Sustainability, an Associated Laboratory that brings together over 300 researchers from three distinct R&D centers: MED, CE3C, and CENSE, located in Portugal. Under her leadership, CHANGE is dedicated to conducting scientific research that informs public policy and evaluates national science policy from an integrated sustainability perspective. Susana's expertise spans both corporate and academic environments. Her career includes key managerial and leadership roles in multinational corporations and academia, focusing on the chemical industry, sustainability, and the environment. For over a decade, she has served as an expert for the European Commission, where she reviews and monitors proposals and projects for various Horizon calls within her fields of expertise. Since 2024, Susana has co-coordinated the Montado Living Lab, a project certified by the European Network of Living Labs. This initiative focuses on developing and promoting sustainable practices to improve soil health, restore tree cover, and foster ecological and socio-economic balance within the Montado agro-forestry-pastoral system.