Summary
The UPSIDED project aims to stimulate innovative teaching practices in higher education by promoting experiential learning and real-life situations. Based on the observation that innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary skills cannot be fully acquired in a traditional academic setting, the project proposes to strengthen learning mechanisms based on innovation challenges such as hackathons or interdisciplinary challenges.
Drawing on the experience of the Crunch Time model and the teaching practices developed by the consortium partners, UPSIDED aims to analyze, structure and enrich these approaches at European level. The project will develop an adaptable methodological framework and a pedagogical toolkit enabling universities to effectively organize innovation challenges linked to real-world issues, particularly those related to technological, social and environmental transitions.
Objectives
The UPSIDED project has the following objectives:
- Promote innovative and experiential teaching methods
Develop a methodological framework and toolkit to support higher education stakeholders in implementing innovation challenges that promote creativity, interdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship and the ability to respond to technological and societal transitions.
- Strengthen links between higher education and the socio-economic ecosystem
Position universities at the heart of an innovation ecosystem by promoting collaboration between students, businesses, laboratories, public institutions and local or international organizations.
- Promote inclusion and accessibility
Explore hybrid or distance learning formats in order to reach a wider student audience.
Project coordinator : Pauline Bègue
Partners : HELHa University, Windersheim University, Dalarna University
Funding : co-funded by the Erasmus+ national agency, with a lump sum of €400,000
Duration : 2025-2028
Expected results : educational toolkit for innovation challenges, sustainable innovation ecosystem, university-business-institution networks
