On 21 March 2024, an inspiring workshop on the topic of ‘open innovation’ took place. Over 20 enthusiastic staff members from all four faculties and the library came together to develop creative solutions.
The workshop offered participants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the open innovation approach through specific questions and to apply it using creative methods. The focus was on designing an innovation process that is open from the outset and on involving relevant stakeholders and their diverse perspectives. This approach makes it possible to design the process in a needs-based and practical manner, enabling participants to work effectively and collaboratively on solutions to societal problems.
To familiarise themselves with the approach, the participants tackled specific challenges from their own day-to-day work and research across four working phases. Under the motto ‘One Mission’, the first group explored the future of university faculties, whilst the second group focused on developing action-oriented educational programmes in schools on the topic of sustainability. The third group addressed the question: How can virtual reality be used to create immersive experiences for people with disabilities – such as those with Parkinson’s disease?
A highlight of the workshop was the role-play, in which participants put themselves in the shoes of the various stakeholders. Abstract ideas were then visualised using Lego bricks, and concept sketches were drawn up to illustrate processes. This creative method helped participants to give concrete form to their thoughts and visualise potential solutions.
