A Living Lab harnesses an institution’s academic potential to solve its major problems and provide practical benefits. This is achieved by bringing together the four major stakeholders of a University or College together on various projects (Academic Staff; Students; Professional Staff; Local Organisations). The campus and its local town are considered a ‘Living Laboratory’ where academics and students from all departments collaborate with professional staff and local organisations to solve problems.

Students gain experience, professional and employability skills, technical and degree-related skills and confidence of linking theory to practice, i.e. bringing the classroom and academic research into the ‘real-world’; projects with real implications also increases student interest and retention. Academics gain access to a live test-bed to conduct innovative research, have a positive bearing on their surroundings, and add to their impact agenda by assisting professional staff and local organisations in sustainability. All stakeholders benefit immensely.

Hosted at the University of Manchester, this event which will take place on 31st January 2017, is designed in collaboration with Professor James Evans, a senior authority in the Living Labs field. The programme will cover: (1) discussing how the UK can catch up with the significant lead gained by mainland EU and North America; (2) how to overcome key challenges to implementing an institutional LL; (3) how to maximise LL opportunities;  (4) discussion on funding opportunities and potential institutional and private-sector partnerships.

Find out more here: http://bit.ly/EAUCLL_EventJan2016

Best wishes,

Nina

Nina Bartlett
Events and Communications Officer

Environmental Association for Universities & Colleges (EAUC)

University of Gloucestershire
The Park
Cheltenham, GL50 2RH