Nurturing Changemakers: A Journey into Innovation and Design at Laurea University

A few weeks ago, I embarked on a transformative journey to #Helsinki, a city that not only welcomed me warmly but also opened my eyes to the power of innovation and creativity. My purpose there was twofold: to teach an introduction to innovation and design thinking to a group of remarkable students and to learn from the inspiring atmosphere of Helsinki itself.

During my stay, I had the privilege of delving into the heart of Helsinki’s creativity at Oodi, a public library that embodies the spirit of endless possibilities. It's a space where diverse minds come together to knit, cook, produce music, 3D print objects, and of course, read. The energy of Oodi was infectious and set the tone for what was to come.

At Laurea University, I had the honor of working with a group of future changemakers, guided by the capable hands of Virpi Kaartti , the Director of the Master in Service Innovation and Design. Virpi a veteran in shaping Service Design education, has cultivated an environment where creativity and innovation thrive. The legacy of her teaching programm includes individuals like Martin Jordan , whose innovative ventures within the German bureaucracy continue to inspire.

What truly excites me is the incredible enthusiasm and dedication displayed by my students- a cohort that has been selected amongst 600(!) Applications worldwide.

Together, we tackled hard issues: From addressing the environmental crisis caused by cigarette butts, a significant source of micro-plastic in oceans, to finding solutions for heat islands in cities, a global urban challenge, and exploring talent retention strategies in the era of hybrid work, these students fearlessly delved into these #wicked problems.

To add a touch of spontaneity, and to align with the lessons taught at the public library #Oodi: "the city is your space", we took parts of our class outside to the playground, capitalizing on the beautiful weather.

I am deeply humbled to have been invited to step into the shoes of Katja Tschimmel , a professional, professor, and researcher I deeply admire. She had been teaching this class for a decade, leaving behind a legacy of critical thinking and innovation!

Looking ahead, I am thrilled about the further collaboration with Laurea. My hope is to witness these talented students assume influential roles in their respective companies, governments, and civil society organizations. I firmly believe that they will emerge as bold #changedarer, addressing challenges, and pioneering solutions in a world that is constantly posing new challenges.

I invite you to take a peek into our world. What is, capturing moments of creativity and collaboration. Together, we are not just shaping the future; we are living it, one innovative idea at a time.

The Blog Posts written by the students, reflect the diverse and nuanced ways in which every student absorbed the essence of our class. Isn't it beautiful how each individual, armed with their unique background, perspective, and culture, extracted a distinct facet of our learnings?

Blog Post: Train your Empathy Muscle

Blog Post: Empowering Everyone to be Creative

Blog Post: Rethink Problem Solving

Blog Post: It's time to play seriously

Blog Post: Interdisciplinary Teams as Catalyst for Innovation

Blog Post: Step in the Shoes of your Costumer

Here's to the power of #education, #collaboration, and the unwavering spirit of changemakers.

#DesignThinking #ChangeDarer#Changemakers #InnovationJourney #EducationForChange #AcademiaWakeUp