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Current Projects

Triple L-T

Science-to-Society: Tripl-L and T (Lengerich, Ladbergen, Lienen, and Tecklenburg)

Four neighboring communities in the northern Münsterland region and the district of Steinfurt are looking for development potential for the future. Each of the communities has its own strengths but also its own challenges.

Lengerich, for example, stands for good jobs because there are large and successful SMEs there and for good shopping opportunities because of the many markets. Lienen, on the other hand, scores with its beautiful nature and quiet surroundings, with recreational opportunities that are good for families. On the other hand, certain industries are currently in trouble due to energy-intensive production and outdated products that no longer meet new sustainability requirements. Ladbergen stands for an excellent infrastructural connection to logistics and transport. A port in the Dortmund-Ems Canal, the international airport, a highway interchange and a freight station provide facilities. Tecklenburg in the "Teutoburg Forest" offers as a "spa" with many cultural cities, tourism, hotels and restaurants a magnet for guests from many regions of Europe. Nevertheless, there are challenges in urban development for the future.

This situation leads to the idea that the four municipalities throw their potentials and competences together in order to support each other and to compensate the weaknesses of the others with their respective strengths.

Interestingly, the representatives of the communities did not find any role models or best practice cases in Germany. Now they have to find their own way to implement these goals.

Timeframe: 15.04.2022 - 14.10.2022

Budget: 19.714,90 Euros

Objectives and approches:

The objective of the project is to develop ideas and measures to achieve cooperation as described above and make it possible and successful.

First students were involved in the project. Four bachelor students each represent a community and "represent" its interests in the project team.
Different methods were used to realize the goals, to prepare the topic scientifically and to find ways for a new kind of cooperation:

  1. LITERATURE ANALYSIS: publications of scientific kind from journals and books, but also reports and studies were collected and evaluated. 
  2. SURVEY OF CITIZENS AND STAKEHOLDERS: After developing a questionnaire, it was used 1. in a face-to-face survey with randomly selected citizens in the streets of the communities. The paper-pencil survey was supplemented by an online survey via a Qualtrics survey tool. A response of >200 respondents (50 from each community) has now been achieved.
  3. CITIZENS BREAKFEAST: Another qualitative method was used. A focus group in the form of a citizens' breakfast with interested and design-strong and eloquent representatives from the communities brought many problems but also ideas for solutions to the table. The Sparkasse Lengerich as host provided the meeting room and the breakfast.
  4. BEST PRACTICE ANALYSIS: The project group extended the best practice investigation to international terrain. Scandinavia, France, Ireland, USA are countries where cases have now been found where municipalities are also collaborating in a way. The analysis identifies if they are successful and if so, warn that is, what are the success factors.
  5. PRIORITIZE AND RECOMMEND: The ideas and measures found as well as potential recommendations derived from the 4 upper approaches are ranked based on various criteria. The criteria are (so far): Target groups of children/youth/young adults (as they are mainly the future) addressed, quickly feasible implementation, cost-effective implementation, volunteer support, consistency with the new mega-trends (according to Covid 19) of the German Future Institute.

Partners: Science-to-Business Marketing Research Center (S2BMRC) of FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, WESt mbH, Wirtschaftsförderungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Steinfurt (Regional Development Agency); the four communities: city of Lengerich, municipality of Ladbergen, municipality of Lienen, and city of Tecklenburg (represented by their majors).

Manager: Professor Thomas Baaken

Digital Citizen Science: Network, transfOrm, groW

The Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project "Digital Citizen Science: Network, transfOrm, groW" (for short "Citizen Science NOW") will investigate how to establish and strengthen local sustainable Citizen Science networks, and equip citizens with essential competencies needed for their effective participation in Citizen Science. 

In response to the call for Responsible Research and Innovation and valorisation as higher education institutes' (HEIs) Third Mission, citizen science (CS) is a promising approach of knowledge co-production that enhances social inclusion, civic engagement and democracy in the EU regions, as well as promoting effectiveness of solving complex and ambiguous societal challenges; fostering active citizenship and ownership; and advancing societal progress in democratic societies (Bonn et al., 2016; Vohland et al., 2021). However, CS faces the challenges of attracting, training, and maintaining a stable pool of citizen scientists at the local and regional levels in the German, Dutch and Spanish contexts due to lacking sustainable CS networks to support regional/local CS development; and lacking access to and awareness of CS offers due to significant silos between HEIs, citizens, adult- and higher educators. Thus, the project aims to raise awareness and capacity of practicing CS and make CS more accessible to citizen regional adult educators and present high-quality learning offers that equip adult citizens to actively engaging in/ initiate CS projects and validate their learnings via practical projects.

Timeframe: February 2022 - November 2023

Budget: 199.670,00 Euros

Objectives:

Targeting adult citizens, local adult- and higher educators, the overall objectives of this project are:  

  1. NETWORK: To establish local CS communities and bring synergies between adult educators (e.g., local learning centres, vocational trainers, libraries, civil society, NGOs, local authorities, etc.), citizens, and higher education institutes to promote CS training and education; 
  2. TRANSFORM: To digitalise and transform CS training and education for adult citizens through co-development of CS training with local stakeholders; 
  3. GROW: To empower adult citizens with the essential competence, skills, tools, and resources for actively engaging in CS projects; and offer opportunities to work on real-life challenges based on the skills learnt from our training programs. 

Partners: Science to Business Marketing Research Center (S2BMRC) of Münster University of Applied Sciences, ACEEU (Germany), BESPOKE (Denmark), University of Twente (the Netherlands) and University of Barcelona (Spain)

Manager: Hacer Tercanli

Co-Creation Aid Kit 4.0 (CoCreAid)

Social challenges can be overcome jointly through co-creation projects between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and NGOs. Indeed, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic destabilises already ongoing co-creation projects and creates barriers between HEIs and the rest of society. Thus, the CoCreAid project aims to overcome these barriers by generating an "easy-to-use" graphical user interface (GUI) with digital co-creation methods to enable the implementation and development of high-quality collaboration projects between HEIs and NGOs.

The project will focus on collaboration projects between HEIs and NGOs, which work with citizens from rural areas to address their needs and improve their quality of life. Co-creation projects between NGOs and HEIs are significant as the pandemic has brought new social challenges. Through successful co-creation projects, these social challenges can be addressed and overcome. Even before the pandemic, it was difficult for interest groups from rural regions to cooperate with HEIs, and the pandemic situation has now worsened this situation. We are creating opportunities to overcome these barriers with our CoCreAid Kit 4.0 and generating possibilities to involve citizens from rural regions in cooperation projects even after the pandemic.

Timeframe: 01.02.2022-01.08.2024 (30 months)

Budget: 288.015,00 Euro

Objectives: The project aims to generate an "easy-to-use" graphical user interface (GUI) with digital co-creation methods for collaboration projects between Higher Education Institutions and NGOs which work with citizens from rural areas.

Partners

  • EGE University (EGEU), (Turkey)
  • Szczecinski University (SU), (Poland)
  • European E-learning Institute (EUEI), (Denmark)
  • Meridaunia Scarl (MS), (Italy)

Manager: Katrin Uude

CSI - CustomDigiTeach

Creating social impact through customized digital teaching formats

The European Commission's latest Higher Education Modernisation Agenda highlights the transformative role of universities in the society. Precisely, rather than being actors of only economic impact, HEIs need to strengthen their 'civic' responsibilities. Despite the argued relevance for more social engagement, respective societal engagement mechanisms have not been well developed in the HEIs. Indeed, latest numbers show that universities still have relatively more technology transfer offices than civic engagement offices. 

Consequently, we still witness a focus on universities' business engagement compared to e.g. community building or collaborations with NGOs, ultimately hampering the social impact of HEIs' activities. Simultaneously, the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19 amplifies the need for HEI's societal engagement. The current times of uncertainty and destabilisation form the background against which societal engagement is most needed. Indeed, HEIs can be a fruitful source for supporting societal recovery by transferring leading edge insights to the society. This science-to-society transfer is of severe importance, given the fact that Covid-19 has brought about societal challenges that we need to solve to ensure prosperity of our economies and societies.

Given this context, the project tackles these challenges by integrating:

(a.) expertise of science-to-society transfer tools (i.e., tools and instruments to overcome transfer barriers in science/society projects and thus to successfully connect science and society) for tailor-fit approaches to create societal impact, and

(b.) expertise of how to enable HE lecturers in digital teaching formats.

Consequently, this project will develop a Digital Configurator, which allows creating social impact through customized digital teaching formats, especially to customized digital social impact generation courses. Therefore, the digital configurator suggests custom-fit digital teaching formats, ultimately equipping HE lecturers to foster their role as being socially engaged and enable students to get involved in an actual societal challenge, which is beyond online lectures, thereby fostering students' entrepreneurial and social thinking and acting.

Funding body: Erasmus+

Timeframe: 01.06.2021 - 31.05.2023 (24 months)

Budget: 287.194,00 €

Project Manager: Dominik Lappenküper M.Sc.

REGENU - ReGenerate Strategies for Higher Education Institutions

In response to the pressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution challenges, the three-year Erasmus+ Forward Thinking consortium aims to support higher education institutions (HEIs) in adapting their education and training systems for the green transition. The project will address Europe's recognised need to transit to more sustainable activities by (1) supporting HEIs in talent development and serving as a platform provider for the university-business-government networks development and research-driven solutions for complex societal issues; (2) developing a programme to accelerate the development of regenerative green solutions and entrepreneurial projects; (3) generating policy recommendations for a more socially just, ecologically restorative, and economically viable future for Europe.

The European Green Deal emphasizes the need for transitioning from an extractive economy to a cleaner and regenerative green economy. However, recent EU studies showed that only 24% of higher education institutions (HEIs) incorporate greening knowledge into their policies (European University Association, 2021), highlighting HEIs' need for action as society's major powerhouse of knowledge, innovation and talent development.

To address this gap, this project aims to support EU's transition to regenerative economies by facilitating the HEI sector in developing the necessary talent and serving as a platform for developing university-business-government networks and research-driven solutions for complex societal issues.

In three years' time, the project will generate a State of the Art on Regenerative Economy, a Training Program and Toolkit, an Innovation Challenge, and Mentorship Program, and an International Competition. The project will also result in Policy Recommendations that will be disseminated through a Policy Impact Event throughout Europe.

Funding body: Erasmus+ Programme (ERASMUS), European Commission

Timeframe: 02.2023-01.2026 (36 Months)

Budget: 804.704,00 € (FH Münster: 101.359,00 €)

Objectives:

  1. To clarify, design and trial the role of the higher education institutes in transitioning the EU society from an extractive to a regenerative economy;
  2. To equip and empower changemakers with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes on the regenerative economy; and
  3. To think globally to impact local environments by developing solutions with regenerative business models.

Partners:

  • Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Italy (UNIVE)
    University Industry Innovation Network, The Netherlands (UIIN)
  • Institute Mines-Télécom Business School, France (IMTBS)
  • Münster University of Applied Sciences, Germany (FHMS)
  • University de Vic, Spain (UVIC)
  • Institute for Innovation and Development of University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (IRI UL)
  • National Alliance for Local Economic Development, Serbia (NALED)
  • Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (TCD)

Manager: Choiwai Maggie Chak (Project Lead), Luciana Gualdi (Lead Partner Project Manager)

münster.land.leben

The münster.land.leben project of the funding initiative "Innovative University" addresses some of the major societal challenges: healthcare, participation and well-being of residents in the rural area of Münsterland. The project consists of 13 sub-projects to bring innovative solutions for promoting health and well-being of residents in the region.

Therefore, the project contributes to fundamentally understand the transfer barriers specific to the health and care sector, adapt the

exchange processes between science and society, support new concepts and above all establish operative measures in the long term. Based on the identified  needs of the stakeholders of the other münster.land.leben sub-projects, the  Science-to-Society Research line will provide and support them with transfer strategies and instruments, which will have been adapted to the quadruple helix (science, business, government and society).

Within this field of activity the focus of our research line is on developing a Science/Society Toolbox and a Science/Society Ecosystem.

The Toolbox is co-created in the münster.land.leben project and aims to methodically support and to open up the innovation process in the context of science/society. The Science/Society Toolbox provides methods and transfer instruments for cooperations between academics and societal actors in the extended transfer understanding of "science with and for society". Correspondingly, the 13 sub-projects of münster.land.leben apply and validate these methods in their cooperation with society and their learning experiences and practical application tips will also be presented in the Toolbox.  

The Science/Society Ecosystem, just like the Toolbox, is intended to support the sub-projects of the münster.land.leben project and to generate generally valid results. The UBC Ecosystem developed for the European Commission will be tailored to münster.land.leben and its potential will be fully exploited. At the same time it will be adapted to the new task Science / Society. This includes answering the questions: What are drivers, what are barriers and what influence do framework conditions have on these processes?

Funding body: Bund-Länder-Initiative "Innovative Hochschule"

Timeframe: 2018-2022

Budget: 9 million euros for consortium

Objectives: To understand and overcome the challenges and barriers of translating health innovation, knowledge and technology into the rural areas in Munster region, adapt the exchange processes between science and society and to establish operational measures in the long term with a focus of interaction with society. 

Partners:  +70 partners, including Stadt Münster, Kreis Borken mbH, and Netzwerk Gesundheitswirtschaft Münsterland e.V.

Contact person: Dr. Kerstin Kurzhals

ChangeLab

Change Lab is a non-profit student initiatitve that provides an innovative learning platform featuring diverse issues related to sustainable community development, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship. We regularly organise events for students, researchers, social experts and citizens to jointly discuss current social issues, develop new ideas and bring about positive social change in our regional community. Moreover, we organises training for students who are interested in social entrepreneurship to help them put creative ideas into practice.

Funding body: Qualitätsverbesserungsmittel, FH Münster

Timeframe: 2020-2021

Budget: 11.000 euros aprox. 

Objectives: Change Lab aims to address different societal challenges and topics by providing an opportunity for open dialogues between multiple societal stakeholders from different perspectives. To do so, we aim at providing a friendly, open-minded, non-judgmental, and safe environment where different voices are heard.

Partner: Exzellenz Start-up Center NRWProject

Manager: Choiwai Maggie Chak M.Sc.

Website: https://changelabmuenster.wixsite.com/change-lab-muenster/ 

UNLOCK: Creativity in HEIs through game design approach

The Erasmus+ UNLOCK project - Creativity in HEIs through a game design approach - aims to equip Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with the knowledge, attitudes and skills required to design, set and facilitate escape room games in learning experiences and stimulate entrepreneurial skills in both students and educators, aiming at strengthening employability, creativity and new professional paths.

With an innovative learning approach, UNLOCK aims to provide the context, process and tools for HEI educators to act as facilitators embedding a game design approach as part of their teaching. Moreover, a game-oriented learning approach will not only foster creativity, as an entrepreneurial skill among students, but also educators as facilitators, who take part in collaboration through innovative problem solving in a specific domain and with particular knowledge practices.

Funding body: European Commission
Timeframe: 01/11/2019 - 31/10/2022
Budget: 999.132 €
Objectives: The Erasmus+ UNLOCK project - Creativity in HEIs through a game design approach - aims to equip Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with the knowledge, attitudes and skills required to design, set and facilitate escape room games in learning experiences and stimulate entrepreneurial skills in both students and educators.
Partners: University of Aveiro (Project Leader), Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), University of Granada (Spain), Munster University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Bespoke (Denmark), Advancis (Portugal), University-Industry Innovation Network (Netherlands)
Project Manager: Prof. Marta Ferreira Dias, University of Aveiro, Portugal

Concluded Projects

Tomorrow's Land

Tomorrow's Land aims at fostering the creation of the next generation of social innovators who will influence and develop a more inclusive society. Six European partner organisations including Regenerus (UK), Münster University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Advancis (Portugal), Bespoke (Denmark), POLIMI (Italy), SIC (Latvia) are working together to support social innovators in the European context. The partners' aim is to better prepare this next generation to tackle the growing problems within our society. Throughout the project, consortium will create resources to support educators who are training young social innovators, the people working to develop practical new solutions to social challenges.

Funding body:

Timeframe:

Budget: 320.955 euros - budget for consortium 

Objectives: Tomorrow's Land will produce four Intellectual Outputs:
1. Strategic Foresight - a creative research report compiled of the Map of Tomorrow's Land and the Learning Framework
2. Learning Academy - an online learning platform and MOOC
3. Champions of Change - a facilitator training course
4. Social Innovation Bootcamp - an international blended learning activity.

Partners: Regenerus (UK), Münster University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Advancis (Portugal), Bespoke (Denmark), POLIMI (Italy), SIC (Latvia)

Contact person: Balzhan Orazbayeva M.A.

Social Design Thinking

Social design thinking (SDT) project aims at designing a course that provides students an introduction to design thinking as applied to social innovation and social entrepreneurship, as well as hands-on opportunities to apply these principles real-time, creating solutions to specific challenges faced by local communities in Münster and Münsterland. SDT will engage international bachelor student from different faculties to co-create together with communities and organizations better solutions for the City.

Funding body:

Timeframe:

Budget:

Objectives 

Partners:  

Contact person: Balzhan Orazbayeva M.A.

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