Online Seminar: Transdisciplinary research in a Living Lab approach

In our online seminar we explore what Living Labs are and what they can offer when researchers want to work on transdisciplinary research (especially in the Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences, and Humanities (SSH). We talk about how Living Labs can be a form of collaboration where researchers work closely together with societal partners to co-create knowledge and innovation in real-world settings.

Rather than studying society from a distance, Living Labs engage directly with societal challenges in all their complexity. They draw on methods such as observation, co-design, and action research, enabling researchers to contribute to meaningful change in society. At the same time, this approach raises important questions about the role of science in supporting just transitions and societal transformation. Working in a Living Lab approach is promising, but not without challenges. How do you balance real-world impact with generating rigorous scientific knowledge? What does publishing look like in this context? And how do we navigate questions of inclusion, power, and fair compensation among partners?

In this seminar, we present Living Labs not only as a method, but as a way of thinking about research, with an example of a Living Lab-like experiment. Participants are invited to reflect on their own (research) work and consider: what if your research were approached as a Living Lab?

Speakers

Ansfrida Vreeburg is a project leader at Utrecht University, where she promotes transdisciplinary research within the Sectorplan Welfare, Participation, and Citizenship in the Digital World. She is involved in developing a Living Lab approach in the Utrecht region, fostering collaboration between academia and societal partners. In her work, she aims to build sustainable partnerships that generate both practically applicable and scientifically robust knowledge, while exploring how Living Labs can create value for all involved.

Claudia Stuckrath Alvarado is a PhD candidate at Utrecht University (Faculty of Geosciences), researching Living Lab approaches in the context of circular economy and sustainability, with a particular focus on Campus. Alongside her research, she is actively involved in the Centre for Living Labs UU (CLU), where she combines academic insight with creativity to help design and develop new Campus Living Labs. Her work contributes to both scientific debate and practical innovation around Campus Living Labs.

How to attend the online seminar

Please fill in the online registration form: