EWUU is hosting its annual conference on Thursday, 16 April at Domus Dela in Eindhoven. During this conference, “Driving Transitions – In society, with society,” researchers, students, academic leaders, policymakers, and societal partners come together around one shared ambition: not only to study transitions, but to shape them together.
Collaboration within EWUU is centered on tackling societal challenges, ranging from circularity to preventive health. The conference in Eindhoven demonstrates how science and society can strengthen each other in addressing and solving these challenges.
Keynotes
Geoff Mulgan, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London, will deliver the keynote “How can universities drive change for the common good?” He will explain why universities are not only producers of knowledge, but also active partners in social innovation and systemic change. Mulgan advises governments and companies worldwide at the intersection of science, technology, and social innovation.
Effective collaboration
Maral Mahdad, Associate Professor of Innovation Technology, Entrepreneurship and Marketing at TU/e, will speak in her keynote “Partnership in society, with society: what does it really take?” about how science and society can truly create impact together. She argues that effective collaboration requires more than good intentions. It depends on trust, a shared language, and clearly redefined roles between universities, governments, industry, and citizens.
Shared Language
In breakout sessions during the conference, the four partners demonstrate what transdisciplinary action looks like in both research and education. The alliance partners work closely together through the EWUU Centre for Unusual Collaborations (CUCo). The aim is to help academics from different backgrounds develop a shared language. “We offer a training program focused on fostering curiosity, collaboration, and trust,” explains Megan Milota, CUCo coordinator.
Inspire and equip
“We want to inspire and equip academics with the right tools and skills so they can confidently work together in innovative, transdisciplinary collaborations to tackle the biggest challenges of our time,” Milota continues.
In addition to these training programs and the toolbox for researchers, CUCo also offers several grants to stimulate such innovative forms of collaboration. These grants give teams the space to explore groundbreaking ideas: from studying the role of emotions in sustainable behavior to developing a more circular pharmaceutical ecosystem.
Driving Change
This innovative and collaborative approach is equally central within the EWUU Education program. “Together, we develop new education aligned with our EWUU themes of Preventive Health and a Circular Society. In doing so, we actively connect institutions, disciplines, and society,” says Ines Lopez Arteaga, director of EWUU Education. Through this educational approach, EWUU provides students with concrete tools to navigate societal transitions, both professionally and personally. This is offered through challenges, courses, and joint master’s programs. EWUU also develops materials for (education) professionals on themes such as Lifelong Learning and Challenge-Based Learning, helping them become better equipped to drive change.
Registration & Program
Registration for the conference is now open. The full program is available on the website.