Academia + civil society = a winning combination! Collaboration and partnerships across sectors are often cited as essential for addressing today’s societal challenges. As part of Social Innovation Skåne, a pilot Pop-up Science Shop is being organized, where civil society actors can participate to work together with academia to solve some of the societal challenges we face today.
What is a Science Shop?
Science shops are a place where academia and other sectors of society can come together to solve societal challenges. The concept has been used by various universities and research institutes since the 1970s, where a physical, permanent center has often been established adjacent to an academic institution to promote collaboration and partnerships between academia and other sectors. Traditionally, Science Shops have targeted civil society as their primary audience.
This spring, we’d like to test a pop-up version—that is, a temporary version—of a Science Shop, and we hope you’ll join us and be the first in Sweden to try it out!
How does a Science Shop work?
Representatives from civil society bring questions and challenges to the Science Shop. The first step is to identify relevant existing research and, if necessary, connect with research communities for further development. If there is no research in the area or if there is a need to develop it further, stakeholders are connected with researchers interested in the issue, or alternatively with students who can work on the issue in a thesis or similar project, depending on what is most appropriate.
We will be organizing three meetings this spring, with the first one taking place on Monday, February 13, 2017, at Ängelholmsgatan 1A in Malmö. At that meeting, we will work with several researchers to identify appropriate research questions. Representatives from civil society will contribute their experiences and knowledge regarding the topics for which deeper understanding or research is desired. After the first session, all participants will decide whether they wish to continue in the process.
What: Sweden’s first Pop-up Science Shop
Where: Ängelholmsgatan 1A, Malmö
When: This pilot will be divided into three parts:
February 13, 2017, 1:00–4: 00 p .m. Developing research questions and challenges
March 27, 2017, 1:00–4:00 p.m. Presentation of existing research or new research ideas
May 15, 2017, 1:00–4:00 p.m. Support for implementing research findings or developing new projects
If you have any questions, please contact marie-louise.lovgren@mah.se
A warm welcome!