Collaborative Approaches to Societal Issues

Making a real societal impact can often feel like a lost cause in a world that’s getting more and more complex each day, but real change can happen when you bring together people with different perspectives to approach problems from new angles. In this workshop, you will have the chance to combine your unique skills with the expertise of your peers to tackle two real-world case studies in Sweden’s cultural and educational sectors.

Over two days, you’ll be working alongside students from a range of disciplines to address the impact of the currently rising real estate costs on museums, theatres, and universities – institutions already facing financial strain, reduced course offerings, and staff cutbacks, all of which threaten the quality of education and culture in Sweden. Guided by adaptable art and design methods, you’ll develop innovative scenarios and practical solutions with sector representatives and professionals, gaining tangible hands-on experience in tackling complex societal issues.

Throughout the workshop you’ll engage with people that have real skin in the game, applying practical skills that can make an immediate impact, and gaining hands-on experience in problem-solving that transcends industries. No matter your discipline or level of experience, you’ll actively contribute to societal transformation while building the tools to carry these skills into future contexts – ensuring that what you learn is not just relevant for the task at hand, but for your broader professional development too.

What You’ll Gain:

  • Practical experience in addressing real challenges in the cultural and educational sectors
  • The ability to apply art and design methods to societal issues
  • Collaboration skills to work effectively in diverse, multidisciplinary teams
  • Hands-on experience working with industry representatives and professionals to create tangible outcomes
  • Valuable insight into how to adapt these methods to other professional contexts and future challenges

About the teacher

Hayley Ho is a researcher and senior designer at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, with expertise on citizen dialogues, processes and speculative prototypes from citizen and more-than-human perspectives for inclusive participation, systems thinking and societal transformations. Previously, she has experience working in design consultancy and cultural initiatives in London and Hong Kong.

ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION

All students and alumni of SSES member universities are eligible to apply to this weekend workshop. We get many applications and unfortunately cannot accept everyone. The selection process is outlined below.

For this specific workshop, you as an attendee will be requested to present yourself and what motivates you to learn about frugal innovation by uploading a short personal video. We also ask that you share in what area you would like to identify opportunities for frugal innovation and why.

SELECTION PROCESS

  1. Application is reviewed
  2. Selection is made and a confirmation email is sent out
  3. Participants must confirm their seat in order to secure the spot
  4. If spots are not confirmed in time, the waitlist will be reviewed and new participants selected

When?

Nov 09–10 - 2024
09:30 - 16:30

Where?

SSES Office, Saltmätargatan 9, 4th floor

Deadline

Applications are open until October 27th.

Price

This workshop is free of charge.