On March 25, Rikst Westra, Sebastian Olma (both CARADT) and Kaj Morel (BWNO) presented the results of the research project Collective Innovation for the Biobased Transition to their research partners, MNext, SPARK, Electron, and Dutch Design Foundation as well as the public.
Held on location of research partner SPARK Campus
, the event marked the completion of an important leg of a research trajectory that is focused on developing a new, mission-driven approaches to innovation. This project, generously financed by ClickNL, focussed on supporting the transition towards a sustainable, biobased economy. Central to the project was the creation of a practical prototype for collective innovation: an approach that emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and shared ownership, moving beyond purely market-driven models of innovation.
During the session, the guests were guided through both the research process and the resulting prototype, The Collective Innovation Circle. A life-sized version of the circle allowed attendees to physically engage with the framework, offering insight into the complexities and dynamics of practicing collective innovation. This sparked a lively and critical discussion, touching on themes such as alternative economic models, the role of the creative sector, and how to generate meaningful impact in the biobased transition.
It was great to see how transdisciplinary research across Avans research centres can generate outcomes that are useful for the entire Avans research community. Here is our dear colleague Jappe de Best, professor of the research group Biobased Resources & Energy:
“The collective innovation circle is highly suitable for MNEXT research projects. Using the circle, we can work with partners to identify and address potential bottlenecks at an early stage.”
The afternoon concluded with a forward-looking conversation on potential and necessary next steps, including the further development of the prototype into a practical toolkit that can be applied across different contexts. In this way, the meeting not only marked the conclusion of the project but also laid the groundwork for continued collaboration and future research aimed at overcoming the dogmatism of market-based innovation.
The Collective Innovation for Biobased Transition project explores innovative, mission-driven approaches to accelerate the shift towards a sustainable, biobased economy. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, this research focuses on developing a practical prototype for collective innovation, aimed at fostering inclusive and collaborative innovation processes within the creative sector.
‘Creating inclusive and accessible stories requires collaborative action. As a researcher I explore how transdisciplinary collaborations contribute to a cultural landscape’
Rikst Westra is a researcher and project leader at CARADT. In her research, she explores how cultural participation and transdisciplinary collaborations can contribute to more inclusive communities and a sustainable future in the broadest sense.
‘Our research group investigates the role artists, designers and cultural producers in general can play in developing the aesthetics and poetics of a desirable future.’
Sebastian Olma is professor Cultural and Creative Industries. He works for the Expertise Centre Art, Design and Technology.
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