In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, universities are constantly seeking innovative ways to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and address real-world challenges. One such initiative that has proven to be remarkably effective is the Innovation Labs series run in partnership with FutureEverything. These labs offer a unique and valuable platform for universities to engage with industry partners, charities, and other non-academic organisations to co-create solutions for pressing issues.
What sets Innovation Labs apart from traditional internal workshops or round-table discussions is their clear structure and focused intent. Unlike other formats, the labs are designed to delve deep into a specific challenge presented by a non-academic partner. By bringing together academic researchers from diverse disciplines, the labs facilitate a concentrated and dynamic environment where ideas can be rapidly developed and refined into viable project proposals.
One of the key factors contributing to the success of the labs is the role of facilitation. Chris Wright of FutureEverything has been instrumental in this regard. His facilitation style not only garners respect and credibility from both academic and non-academic participants but also ensures that the diverse expertise in the room is harnessed effectively towards common goals. The involvement of an external facilitator like FutureEverything adds significant weight to the proceedings; internal professional services teams can find it difficult to achieve the same level of credibility and engagement, and academics are often more inclined to listen and participate actively when the process is led by an expert consultant from a respected creative consultancy.
