Co-creation model of the University of Helsinki
Published on 24 May 2018
Finland
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About this good practice
PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Research is increasingly expected to be commercialised and interact with the society to solve problems. It implies that society is expected to be able to absorb high level innovations. Absorptive capacity is required and a method for tailoring it to concrete problem-solving.
HOW OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED: The GP goes beyond technical commercialisation of research results. It is putting emphasis at every step on the learning aspects, before solutions are introduced and discussed.To this end, a co-creation model was created and implemented by the University of Helsinki through a pilot project. In co-creation, problems are defined and solved in cooperation with different societal actors, such as companies and researchers, i.e. people with diverse backgrounds. The process starts with defining the problems and proceeds to solving them. The researcher identifies the scientific challenges while the company identifies the economic potential. A facilitator is interpreting research results into problem-solving concepts. In the pilot project, six workshops, that lasted for three hours each, were organised with five companies participating. Solving the problem produces new solutions which can benefit both the university and the company. Although the primary aim is to build connections, concrete results may be achieved, too.
STAKEHOLDERS: Universities, companies, civil society.
HOW OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED: The GP goes beyond technical commercialisation of research results. It is putting emphasis at every step on the learning aspects, before solutions are introduced and discussed.To this end, a co-creation model was created and implemented by the University of Helsinki through a pilot project. In co-creation, problems are defined and solved in cooperation with different societal actors, such as companies and researchers, i.e. people with diverse backgrounds. The process starts with defining the problems and proceeds to solving them. The researcher identifies the scientific challenges while the company identifies the economic potential. A facilitator is interpreting research results into problem-solving concepts. In the pilot project, six workshops, that lasted for three hours each, were organised with five companies participating. Solving the problem produces new solutions which can benefit both the university and the company. Although the primary aim is to build connections, concrete results may be achieved, too.
STAKEHOLDERS: Universities, companies, civil society.
Resources needed
Workshops: facilitator and 2-3 assistants to help the discussion in smaller working groups. The co-creation model was piloted under a project financed by Business Finland and the University of Helsinki.
Evidence of success
Researchers have been able to find new research questions that are scientifically valid and are business-wise relevant. Companies have been able to recognise issues where they should be focusing on and how to react. Concrete results include e.g. taking part in a research project, or creating a living lab. The model is transferable, and can diffuse advanced research to reach & be absorbed by traditional industries, supporting RIS3 applications and economy renewal.
Potential for learning or transfer
The co-creation model is built on clear steps which enables it to be transferred easily. It can also be transferred to different research to business interaction cases. Firstly, it can be applied to different fields and sectors. At the University of Helsinki, it was piloted with humanities and social sciences which don´t traditionally have strong relations with business. Furthermore, companies represented different sectors and sizes. Secondly, dialogue between research and business can also be used in other context than only in the workshops. The University of Helsinki has continued to use dialogue to use dialogue after the co-creation pilot even
though new workshops haven´t been organised because of the lack of resources.
Contact person: University of Helsinki, Maarit Haataja and Tanja Suni, [email protected]
though new workshops haven´t been organised because of the lack of resources.
Contact person: University of Helsinki, Maarit Haataja and Tanja Suni, [email protected]
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
University of Helsinki
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
Contact
Senior project manager