The Knowledge Lab

The Knowledge Lab

PROJECT AIM To develop a concept that fosters knowledge exchange between academia and business in order to turn Campus N채ckrosen into the hotbed for innovative activities and approaches responding to the future needs of the city of Gothenburg.

Background research

let's imagine Gothenburg in 15 years business will work differently. students will learn differently. so what are the challenges that campus näckrosen will have to consider?

challenges

Academia

Business

1 New business models

Traditional hierarchical models are becoming obsolete, need to foster entre­preneurship, collaborations and skills relevant in the knowledge economy.

Rise of the startups and 1-person business forming a new concept of the knowledge economy.

2 Shifts in the market place

Overcrowded graduate market: there is a need for new type of graduates with transferable skills and practical experience.

– Rise of the importance of the environmental issues.

– Importance of the voice of the customer.

– Short product lifecycles.

3 Rapid change in technology

Due to mobile education and easy sharing of information and knowledge, the credibility of theoretical knowledge and academic research is decreasing.

– The age of innovation.

– Short knowledge lifespan.

– Shift to the digital cloud.

– Accessible collaboration with experts from all around the world.

4 New approaches to education / research

– ‘Citizen science’.

– MOOC (massive open online courses) making university education accessible to virtually anyone which reduce the value of an academic degree.

– New graduates that grew up in a mobile world influenced by the social media.

– Fight for capturing the real talent.

how can campus näckrosen address these challenges?

The Knowledge Lab connect | collaborate | experience

The Knowledge Lab is an interactive space where the knowledge exchange between Academia and Business can take place. Its main function is to provide a system allowing various stakeholders to connect together in a way that fosters meaningful collaborations as well as provide space where these collaborations can take place.

The Knowledge Lab is build up to meet the challenges of tomorow and to become present at the forefront of knowledge creation. The model of the Know­ledge Lab consists of three main functional elements:

connections collaborations space

The Knowledge Lab Model

attract stakeholders

stakeholders Academia

Business/Industry

Other

students

Companies

practitioners

PhD students

organisations

alumnis

researchers

municipalities

lecturers Professors

enable connections

Connection areas Physical

Digital

Communication office

online platform

open meeting spaces mobile knowledge lab foster & support collaborations

collaboration modes Long term

Short term

cultral interaction

workshops

incubator

networking events

employment

consulting project based teams internship mentorship

provide space

Spaces Steady

Flexible

pop up-offices

institute

flexible meeting rooms

cafĂŠ

display areas mobile knowledge lab

enable connections We acknowledged that the collaboration between various stakeholders from business and academia is necessary in order to be able to face the complex problems of the future society.

Thus, the role of Campus Näckrosen is to develop an accessible platform that will make these connections happen:

Connection areas Physical

Digital

Communication office The communication office is the foundation stone of the Knowledge Lab that manages and enables these connections. Its functions include: – Act as a first point of contact for both students and businesses interested in collaboration.

– Raise awareness of the Knowledge Lab. – Attract stakeholders and new businesses to get involved.

– Speak the language of both business and academia in order to communicate how students can deliver value to businesses and vice versa.

– Arrange events that foster networking opportunities.

Online platform The aim of the platform is to provide a well-designed and accessible online space where various stakeholders can easily search for other people that can add value to their business or student projects. Each student interested in the Knowledge Lab can create an online profile highlighting their skills and interests as well as the skills they want to develop. This will create a virtual skill-bank allowing businesses to easily search through students to find the most suitable ones for their projects.

Open meeting space Main function of this space is to provide an environment where connections are fostered to rise more naturally during networking events and exhibitions organised by the communication office or students/ business initiatives.

The mobile ‘mini’ Knowledge Lab The idea behind this space is to create a mobile remote version of the main functions of the Knowledge Lab that will easily deliver workshops and space for collaborations in areas outside Campus Näckrosen. In addition, it can be used as a promotional tool for the Knowledge Lab.

From the business perspective, each company or organisation will have the opportunity to create a profile including the project descriptions and skills needed as well as what will students learn from it. This, in turn, will allow students to easily search through and get involved in collaboration opportunities.

how could this happen? work as a communication officer at the Knowledge Lab at the Näckrosen “ Icampus.

Through our digital platform I connect students with different companies, institutions, and also with other students. My aim is to put together the perfect combination of stakeholders for exchange of know­ ledge and innovations.

”

Robin, communication officer

it was just so easy… Yesterday I put a note on the digital platform. “ Wow, We needed help with the graphic concept for our band, and we have got three answers already from students from the other disciplines at the campus. That’s great!

”

Jonah, music student

had this amazing external lecture today with an old woman from “ WeHungary, making the finest lace ribbons by hand. Adorable forgotten handicraft. I got so inspired that when I talked to her afterwards I asked if I­could make internship at her studio? She said – yes! I’m looking forward to this summer in Hungary.

”

Nova, crafts student

got connected to the Knowledge Lab through the “mobile” Lab. The “ WeKnowledge Lab Bus was parked for a week at our square. They informed

”

George, owner Pizza fantasia

connections

us about the university and we took part in a workshop where we examined the future possibilities for small business in Angered. I have never heard about this before but it was a great experience to all of us small shop owners at Angereds torg.

foster & support collaborations The role of campus Näckrosen is not only to connect various stakeholders but also to provide them with tools that will allow them to collaborate in a way that is valuable for both parts involved: to gain the most out of each other skills and to create knowledge that can deliver value to both business and academia.

collaboration modes Long-term Cultral interaction Incubator Employment

Short-term Workshops Networking events Consulting

Long-term / Short-term Project based teams Internship Mentorship

how could this happen? is really the best part of my job, the collaborations. To nose up the “ This best ideas to move forward with, and to make the right combination of stakeholders to find a suitable way to interact, it is a nice challenge. In comfortable groups, students have a place for trial and error and this really is the aim in these collaborations. There is a big hunt for talents today, many of our students get hired even before they finish school. We are proud to our close connection to the world outside university campus and work very hard to make things happen.

”Robin, communication officer

years ago we signed up in the digital platform at the Knowledge “ Two Lab. It was the best thing we have done in this company. Collaborating with students is a really refreshing exchange of ideas and knowledge. We had a fantastic workshop that time, and now we are coming back for another bigger one. We will even get our own small office while we are here.

Jamie, CEO at Säkra hem Ab

for “Art and the suburbs” was arranged at the Knowledge “ ALabThinklast tank week. It was a great experience for me. To give and take ideas, get a glimpse on different realities, a lot of inspiration and positive energy. The mix between students, researchers, politicians and business people was great. A possibility to see from a bigger perspective.

”

Tindra, student photography

collaborations

”

provide space Campus Näckrosen will provide a physical space where collaborations can happen. This space should be flexible and act as a transitional zone between business and academia: thus, to provide a space that is comfortable enough for students but at the same time professional enough for companies.

spaces Flexible By clustering all the collaboration activities at one place, we aim to create vibrant and creative environment that encourage knowledge exchange between all the participants.

Flexibility is an important characteristic in order to make the space easily adaptable to on-going projects through: Pop up-offices That can be easily rented by companies and organisations for longer cooperations.

Flexible meeting rooms Suitable for various types of workshops and collaboration during shorter projects.

Display areas The display areas offer an unique opportunity for students to display their work and communicate how can art, culture and humanities deliver value to companies and organi­sations.

Steady Institute Café

how could this happen? flexible space that we have here is amazing. It’s so smart and well “ This designed. It’s really easy to transform the space into whatever you need for the week. No event is too big or to small. Knowledge Lab is really welcoming area, with a lot of pulse and energy but also space for tranquillity and reflections when needed so.

” Robin, communication officer

market event. We are collaborating over the disciplines and will make this Christmas the best ever for everyone. There will be an open lectures about Christmas from different perspectives and from different parts of the world. But also exhibitions, concerts and a pop-up shop from students. On Christmas Eve there will also be an open house event. We are going to make the evening unforgettable. A big food company and also the local business are contributing to this event.

”

Saga, student international language

I have just finished school, I got the fantastic offer to be a part of “ After the incubator program at the Knowledge Lab. With a small flexible office and all the support around me, thas was really great. Now I have moved to a bigger office and my business is thriving. I’m a proud mentor of two students that visit me regularly.

”

Josef, CD at Mind Design and former graphic design student

space

Upcoming Christmas the whole community of Näckrosen is going to “ make the Knowledge Lab to explode in a great alternative Christmas

why?

How does this model address the challenges identified and create value for the stakeholders involved?

Deliver Practical Experience Regarding the technology that is currently available, it is predictable that in 15 years, university education could be available to virtually anyone thanks to MOOC (Massive open online courses). Even though it brings numerous advantages for the society, it will also cause a decrease in the value and exclusivity of the theoretical degree. Thus, the brick-and-mortar universities have to focus on delivering knowledge and skills to students that cannot be developed online, such as prac­ tical skills and hands-on experience through learning by doing. In addition, by collaborating with students, companies will have the unique opportunity to spot the students that can bring significant value to their future business in early stages and win the fight for capturing the ‘real talent’.

Connect Art and Humanities with the industry As suggested in the research, in 15 years the market for graduate employment is very likely to be highly overcrowded resulting in a high level of unemployment amongst graduates. Thus, in order to ‘stick out from the crowd’, the graduates will need more than just a degree: relevant and professional working experience will be necessary. This system has already been acknowledged mainly amongst management and business science students where the link to business and industry is clearly defined. However, these links with business need to be developed between arts and humanities as well. We believe that by linking students and companies through student projects and internships, Campus Näckrosen can encourage the collaboration between business and arts and humanities. This will in turn allow companies

and organisations to acknowledge the extended value that these disciplines can bring to their business resulting in higher employment opportunities for graduates in these disciplines.

Create a common language Various shifts in the marketplace and society suggest that problems we will be facing in 15 years will have more complex and ‘wicked’ character than our current problems. Thus, there is expected to be a high demand for creative thinkers with ability to think outside the box and bring innovative solutions, such as the students of Campus Näckrosen. Therefore, the Knowledge Lab will aim to create a ‘common ground’ where an overall understanding between business and students where these creative abilities can be developed.

Develop skills relevant for the knowledge- based society In 15 years, new forms of companies structures are also expected: the traditional concept of corporations with different department and hierarchies will be replaced by new types of smaller specialised businesses collaborating together. Thus, the ability to be able to contribute to a group work, collaborate with others, communicate the same language and have a literacy in the technologies for collaboration will be necessary. The Knowledge Lab will provide space, technologies and a network of contacts that will allow students in Campus Näckrosen to develop these skills and abilities.

STUDENTS – Interactive space where practical experience is gained.

– Space for trial and error aiming to foster creative thinking and innovation.

– Space where knowledge is exchanged rather than dictated.

– Starting point for building a valuable network of contacts.

BUSINESS – Opportunities to gain innovative ideas that can increase company’s competitive advantage.

– Experience the value that arts, culture and humanities can bring into the company.

– Take the advantage of being the first mover in these new research fields.

– The opportunity to work with students to capture the real talent amongst the graduates.

CAMPUS Näckrosen – University that is at the front of the creation of knowledge.

– Promoting the value of arts, culture and humanities in order to develop a common language between these fields and business. makes – Increase the employability of the graduates Gothenburg University higher in the university ranking attract more students and international researchers elevates university as well as the city of Gothenburg.

created value

what‘s in it for us?

How can academia preserve the healthy environment for independent research but at the same time still be attractive for businesses and organisations?

Which companies and organisations are regarded as the pioneers and can provide relevant knowledge?

Who has the competence to decide on inviting them to the to the Knowledge Lab?

Who owns the knowledge that is produced in the Knowledge Lab? Who has access to it?

What is the important knowledge for the future?

How long is it valid for?

Which knowledge and ideas do we want to pursue? What deserves to be preserved and altered?

to consider

things to consider

This brochure was created as a supporting text explaining the concept of ‘The Knowledge Lab’, its outcomes and the research behind it. It was conducted as a part of the Master programme by four students from Master in Design and Master in Business & Design in HDK. This concept was developed as a response to the task to create a meeting between the Campus and the Industry/Business for the planned project of Campus Näckrosen.

Ibou Gueye, Lucia Ciranova, Lill O Sjöberg, Karin Lycke

The Knowledge Lab