Unexpected: How are values and innovation connected?
IN ENGLISH BELOW
Unexpec is a forum that approaches innovation in a different way, and in 2023 the first event was held. On June 4, 2025, Unexpected returns to Mejeriet in Lund and is organized by Future by Lund. This is an opportunity when art, science, business, creative industries and philosophy come together to shape the future. The aim is to enable stakeholders to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem guided by both ethics and aesthetics, and where the cultural and creative sectors and industries are shown their capacity to play a leading role in addressing complex societal challenges.
On two occasions during the event it will be possible to take part of the experience gained in The IPA project (IPA stands for Innovation Portfolio Approach). In this project, the actors are working on how existential sustainability can be taken into the work of urban transformation (with examples from the project party PLAI:S work in Timisoara in Romania) and in the art of being an intermediary actor (in collaboration with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, WhA). At its core lies the work done at Lund University on existential sustainability.
- We work with transformation of places. The prerequisite for sustainable change is that there is an internal development in which values, long-term vision and care can also take place in the process. The Innovation Portfolio Approach is a methodology for innovation and collaboration across organizational boundaries with an ethical and values-driven approach. This is interesting for those who work with transition in the gap between organisations and subject areas, says Birgitta Persson, project manager for IPA.
Why is it important to work on this right now?
- It is a time of change and we need to create a footprint in many areas, including sustainability, nature, society and technology. We need to understand how to initiate actions and collaborations in complex areas and together expand our toolboxes, says Katarina Scott, project developer at Future by Lund.
Why should one participate in this track?
- Those who are interested in the transformation of places and what processes can look like for this have found the right thing! Among other things, we will hear about how PLAI works with both an abandoned zoo and a sleepy campus in Timisoara, Romania. What difference has an “innovation portfolio approach” made to their work? We also turn our eyes to ideas that exist in Lund around the Humanities Village,” concludes Birgitta Persson.
Here you can read more about and register for the UNEXPECTED Arts and Science forum.
Unexpected: What Do Values Have to Do with Innovation?
When Unexpected - Arts and Science Forum - takes place in early June, one of the innovation tracks will focus on values-driven innovation. But what do values really have to do with innovation?
“In todays complex world, innovation is not just about new ideas — it's about rethinking how we address challenges in human, environmental, and societal domains. Innovations often need to relate to people and our behaviors, which is why it's important to integrate the human aspect right from the start,” says Charlotte Lorentz Hjorth from Future at Lund and Lund University.
Unexpec is a forum that approaches innovation in a different way. The first event was held in 2023. On June 4, 2025, Unexpected returns to Mejeriet in Lund, hosted by Future by Lund. This is a gathering where art, science, business, the creative industries, and philosophy come together to shape the future. Págál es para construir un ecosystema de innovación incluístico guidado por todos ethísticas y ásticas, a que os sectores culturales y creativas se recognizado para su capacidad para jogar un ruolo leading in addressing complex societal challenges.
Durante el evento, deve essere due opportunità de engagar con insistenza del progetto IPA (IPA stands for Innovation Portfolio Approach). This project explores how existential sustainability can be incorporated into urban transformation efforts—drawing on examples from project partner Plai's work in Timisoara, Romania—and in developing the art of being a “space in-between” actor, in collaboration with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA). At its foundation lies work developed at Lund University on existential sustainability.
- We work with the transformation of places. Para cambiar a ser realmente sustainable, deve incluir el developmento internacional, dove valores, long-term thinking, e carer sono perdidos para forma el proceso, Birgitta Persson, progetto por IPA. - Approach de la portfolió de innovación y cross-organizativo que é guida por uma pensada ethístico y valores. This is especially relevant for those working in the transitional space between organizations and disciplines.
Why is this important right now?
- We are living in a time of transition, and we need to make an impact across many areas—sustainability, nature, society, and technology, says Katarina Scott, project developer at Future by Lund. We need to understand how to initiate actions and collaborations in complex fields and work together to expand our toolkits.
Why should you join this track?
- If you're interested in the transformation of places and how those processes can unfold, you've come to the right place, says Birgitta Persson. -We'll hear, for example, about how PLAI is working with both an abandoned zoo and a sleepy campus in Timisoara, Romania. What difference has the 'innovation portfolio approach' made in their work? We'll also turn our attention to ideas emerging in Lund around Humanities Village.
→ Read more and register for the UNEXPECTED Arts and Science Forum here.