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Governing Urban Metabolism Spring Workshop at UNINA

From April 7 to 11, Anna Attademo and Marina Rigillo from the Department of Architecture, DiARC at Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA) hosted the second edition of the “Governing Urban Metabolism” Spring Workshop.

The event brought together students from the Bachelor Degree programme in Sustainable Development and Territorial Networks at UNINA, and participants from Aurora partner universities, including the Universität Innsbruck, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the University of Iceland, and Palacký University Olomouc.

Facilitators and participants of the Governing Urban Metabolism spring workshop at Università Federico II of Naples

Held in-person at the Department of Architecture (DiARC) at UNINA, the workshop was preceded by two online preparatory sessions. The overarching aim was to equip students with the skills needed to turn waste management challenges into opportunities for urban regeneration. The programme focused on designing circular supply chains that enhance and preserve the value of spatial and material resources, aligning with strategies outlined by the European Union.

Addressing Urban Challenges Through Sustainable Solutions

Throughout the week, students co-designed and tested circular solutions for the neighborhood of San Giovanni a Teduccio, a densely populated district on the eastern edge of Naples. During a dedicated field trip, they explored the area and engaged with local stakeholders and community initiatives such as the NEST Theatre and San Carlo Officine.

In-person classroom sessions and field trips during the Governing Urban Metabolism spring workshop

The recently inaugurated Transitional Lab Research Centre (DiARC, UNINA) served as the main venue for the five-day workshop. The final session took place at Palazzo Gravina in the form of a public jury, where local stakeholders and representatives from ASIA Spa, the Neapolitan waste management company, evaluated the students’ work, presented as both digital and printed fanzines.

The workshop concluded with a closing aperitif in the stunning cloister of Palazzo Gravina, offered by the Lazzarelle Cooperative, providing a warm farewell to the international participants by their Neapolitan peers and researchers.

Exploring Aurora Students’ Values with the BEVI Test 

Aurora Student Ambassador Ari Ljunggren, a student at Copenhagen Business School and a participant in the Aurora Student Conference held at Palacký University Olomouc, shares his experience with the BEVI (Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory) test, a key part of the conference aimed at fostering deeper self-awareness and intercultural understanding among students. Through his lens, we gain insight into the value of the BEVI as both a tool for individual reflection and a catalyst for meaningful dialogue within the Aurora student community. 

One of the most memorable highlights from our recent Aurora Student Conference at Palacký University Olomouc was taking the BEVI test. Introduced to us by professor John Style from Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), the BEVI is a 185-question assessment designed to get at the core of who we are: our values, our sense of identity, and how life experiences shape our worldview. After completing the test, each participant receives a personal report offering insights into how they think and feel, a unique opportunity for self-reflection that we don’t often get in everyday life. 

What Exactly Is the BEVI? 

The BEVI is rooted in the idea that our upbringing, cultural background, and personal experiences profoundly influence how we view the world. It presents a wide range of statements, on everything from daily habits to broader societal issues, and asks you to agree or disagree, with no middle option. That alone can feel a bit uncomfortable, but it forces you to confront what you really believe, rather than what you might wish you believed.  By capturing your responses on topics like environmentalism, relationships, core needs, and global engagement, the BEVI paints a picture of your inner self. In a diverse group like ours, this offered a rare glimpse into how similar (or different) our core values truly are. 

Reflections from Aurora students during the BEVI workshop at the Aurora Student Conference in Olomouc

Taking the Test and Getting the Results 

On the first day, we spent about 40 minutes quietly clicking through the questions on our devices. Some were straightforward, about personal responsibility or self-perception, while others touched on more sensitive areas like religion, gender roles, or how we handle ambiguity and change. We then carried on with our day, curious to hear about the group outcomes, which we learnt about the following afternoon. Equipped with the data, Professor Style led the discussion on the group findings.  

Many participants reported moderate levels of negative life events, combined with relatively high scores on fulfilling core emotional needs. This suggests that even those who had faced adversity typically felt well-supported overall. When it came to identity diffusion, the results were spread evenly across the group. Some students felt a strong sense of self, while others expressed more uncertainty or a flexible approach to their identity. 

A common trend also emerged in the area of openness versus certitude. As a group, we scored high on sociocultural openness and ecological resonance, but lower on self-certitude and absolutist beliefs. This indicated a general tendency toward exploration and adaptation, rather than holding rigid personal convictions. 

In terms of gender and religious traditionalism, the results varied widely. Some participants expressed very non-traditional beliefs, while others embraced more traditional frameworks. This diversity of perspectives led to some of the most eye-opening discussions we had during the conference. 

Lastly, a substantial number of participants scored very high on the “meaning quest” dimension. It became clear that many of us are driven by a desire to ask “Why?” – whether about big-picture issues or everyday experiences—reflecting an intrinsic motivation among Aurora students to seek deeper understanding. 

Aurora students taking the BEVI test

Reflections from the Group 

Hearing one another’s thoughts on the BEVI results added another layer of depth to the experience. Here’s what a few fellow Aurora students had to say:

Mathilde (Université Paris-Est Créteil):For me BEVI is at this time a fundamental tool that should be used way more often. Even more for assessing how an exchange can impact students’ perception of life in general and how their critical thinking has changed during this experience.”  

Warren (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam): “The BEVI test was an interesting test because it was able to look at one’s life experiences and formulate a pretty accurate representation of outlooks on general categories using otherwise random questions. While I had some questions with the final reflection, I would say, overall, it is a great start to really analyse certain dynamics when it comes to self reflection on various adverse exposures throughout one’s life.”

Marlis (Universität Innsbruck):Taking the BEVI test during the Aurora Student Conference was an insightful experience, as it made me reflect on where I hold strong opinions and where I am more neutral, revealing personal tendencies I hadn’t fully recognized before. More importantly, it highlighted that even in an international and highly educated setting, traditional gender norms still persist among many participants, emphasizing the chance for universities to educate students and staff, to foster an environment where everyone feels free to be themselves rather than conforming to traditional stereotypes—making the test a powerful tool to spark meaningful conversations that might not have happened otherwise.” 

Aurora Student Council members and Aurora Student Ambassadors

My Personal Take 

Reading my own BEVI summary felt validating. It confirmed that I’ve typically felt well-supported in personal growth, and that I’m comfortable taking a balanced stance on complex topics. What stood out most was my high emphasis on the “meaning quest,” factor, aligning with my tendency to ask “Why?” about just about everything. This conference, and the BEVI exercise, underscored that university is meant to expand our worldview, and sometimes that starts with recognizing our current beliefs. 

Aurora thrives on bringing students together across Europe to address real-world problems. The BEVI test aligned well with that mission by highlighting how our backgrounds and values shape our approaches to collaboration. Recognising why we differ, or why we agree, can foster more empathetic discussions and richer collective insights. By the end of the session, I felt an even deeper appreciation for our group’s complexity and for Aurora’s open-minded environment. The BEVI didn’t just confirm we’re all unique; it hinted at how we came to be that way, which is exactly the sort of self-awareness that fuels cross-cultural cooperation. 

I’m looking forward to seeing how these insights shape our next Aurora projects, workshops, and day-to-day conversations. After all, truly knowing ourselves and one another is what transforms international experiences from interesting to life-changing. And if there’s one lasting lesson from the BEVI session, it’s that understanding our differences is the first step toward finding common ground. 

A Conversation with Rina Alluri: Peace and Peacebuilding In An Era of Global Incertitude

During the Aurora International Peace Conference 2025 hosted by Universität Innsbruck, academic and researcher Rina Alluri unpacked the meaning of peace and peacebuilding in today’s global context. She further showcased how higher education institutions can play a significant role in writing the narrative in promoting the culture of peace through educational initiatives, activities and policies.

This conversation was led by Niels Hexspoor, Aurora Sustainability and Impact Leader at Palacký University Olomouc and Lead for Aurora 2030 Work Package 7 (WP7) Capacity Building and Community Engagement. He interviewed Rina Alluri, Assistant Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Universität Innsbruck, and UNESCO Chair for Peace Studies. She was also part of the organising committee for the Aurora International Peace Conference 2025, an event coordinated under the Aurora Karazin University Peace Education Hub.

Setting the Stage: The Meaning of Peace

Niels: We are here today at the Aurora International Peace Conference on “The Role Of Higher Education And Peace Building” hosted by the University of Innsbruck as part of the Aurora Karazin University Peace Education Hub. Peace is a very loaded and concurrent topic. Could you give some examples of the meaning of peace, especially in the context of today’s world?

Rina:  We often think that peace is a sort of this end goal, a destination, this utopian place that we are all supposed to be somewhat striving for, or moving towards. While I do believe that there is something to strive for and move towards, we need to understand peace and peacebuilding as an ongoing lifelong learning process. As individuals, but also as societies, institutions, universities, we must think about how we’re building different forms of peace everyday.

Unfortunately, we are living in turbulent times. I try not to be a pessimist, but we need to be aware of the different realities: at the moment, there are a number of countries, contexts, and communities around the world that are facing threat, risks, insecurity, and that are fearful for their everyday lives.

So when we look at peace and peacebuilding, it’s a matter of acknowledging the reality of war, conflict, genocide, mass atrocities, and humanitarian crises, but also always keeping in mind the opportunities for building everyday forms of peace.

The Role of Higher Education in Peacebuilding

Niels: How do you think universities in higher education institutions, such as those within Aurora, play a role in creating academics and students that can positively contribute to raising this awareness and this sense of peacebuilding?

Rina: There’s an element of also being aware of the possible negative role that education has played historically in some cases. This is something that I feel is very important when we speak about our students. I co-lead a Master’s programme in Peace and Conflict Studies. Although I’m not a historian, I’m a political scientist, and I think that political histories are important to be aware of. In order to find ways for universities to contribute to peace and peacebuilding, we must also be aware of how they have contributed to conflict, and how often education has been part of colonisation, imperialism, et cetera.

Finding the way for universities is also being very aware of the potential of education, how it can be used as a tool – and is being used as a tool in some contexts today – for oppression, manipulation, indoctrination, erasure, and revisionist policies and approaches. When we begin from that starting point of how education and universities have been used as negative tools, and we come into the conversation with that absolute clear awareness, we can then begin to consider the potential opportunities.

We see examples of this all around the world. For little girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan historically, education has been a tool for resistance. We see in the cases of higher education institutions that offer scholarships to students from the global south and conflict-affected context in the global north, how these opportunities would only exist through scholarships and educational spaces.

We can also see today, being together in a conference that gathers scholars, activists, practitioners, students, to talk about the role of higher education and peace building. Through this contact and meeting with each other, we speak a common language of cooperation, community, and how to find ways to work together. Developing peace hubs, Erasmus exchanges in the context of Europe, but also being aware of the challenges that students and scholars at risk face around the world and trying to identify ways to support each other through it.

Full house at the Aurora International Peace Conference 2025 for the plenary session on “Universities’ Peacebuilding Practices and Knowledge Diplomacy”

The Transformative Power of Education

Niels: You’d mentioned some of the more practical ways that were touched upon in this conference and, ways in which universities can use this transformative power for good rather than for bad. Could you perhaps give some concrete and practical examples to how this can translate to everyday life?

Rina: As I mentioned, I co-lead a Master’s programme in Peace and Conflict Studies. One of the challenges that we often face is students from conflict-affected contexts or from global south contexts, look to opportunities for education.

Here we need to be better. We need to be better at ensuring that not only are we offering scholarships for students to come here, but also how we are supporting them once they are here. How are we ensuring that they have – from a technical level – access to visas, housing, communities? How are we offering a sense of belonging?

Peacebuilding is that step: how are we offering spaces of belonging that people are not just studying in a room together or in a big institution, but that they are also having meaningful – sometimes difficult – conversations, and allowing those conversations to be had.

In the last few days, we’ve been inspired with some incredible keynote speakers. One of them spoke about bringing ourselves into the classroom. As an educator and professor, we have a responsibility to bring ourselves into the classroom. So not just expecting students to show up, with vulnerability, ideas, and questions, but also ourselves to show up with vulnerability, ideas, and questions. For us to be aware of, and aim to, dismantle power hierarchies that exist between students and professors.

We should also question our pedagogy. We speak of all different types of pedagogy, whether it’s decolonial, intersectional, anti-racist, democratic, civil-centered, global citizenship, student-focused, et cetera. All these pedagogies are great on paper, but how are we actually bringing them into the classroom and ensuring that classroom spaces can enter into dialogue with one another?

That’s just a classroom space, which is one option, but another is through meaningful exchanges. Aurora universities, and peace hub platforms, offer such exchange between students. I don’t want to diminish contact theory here, as I believe the opportunity for students to meet each other, to meet people who might actually have different backgrounds, opinions, perspectives, to allow for that pluriversal conversation, is really crucial.

Keynote speakers, from left to right: Ian Manzi, Beatrix Austin, Madeleine Rees, Frank Geary, Marko Lehti, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Savo Heleta and Norbert Koppensteiner

Adapting Knowledge Development for Sustainable Peace

Niels: You mentioned bringing oneself into the classroom, both from the perspectives of an educator and a student. Could you elaborate on what that could look like, for example, in relation to the different layers of interaction and lasting impact of peace and conflict?

Rina: One of the biggest challenges that we face in knowledge creation, knowledge development and knowledge extraction at the moment, is that very often we still fall back into that idea that knowledge is supposed to be rational. That it’s supposed to be neutral, void of voice, and void of identity.

While that may be relevant, particularly in certain disciplines, that may also require a certain type of neutrality from a technical point of view. In the social sciences and the humanities, and peace and conflict studies, we cannot pretend that this is the case. If we are engaging in conflicts – whether these might happen at a personal, internal, interpersonal or relational level, but also exposure to actual, armed conflicts and war zones – we can’t pretend that our own identities and ideas are not also entering into that space.

I’ll give you a very concrete example. I’ve been doing my PhD in postdoc research in, and on, Sri Lanka and post-war Sri Lanka, in the immediate place. As a researcher being also from the Asian continent, I have to be aware of how, if I step into a room – in the case of Sri Lanka – how that has relational impact. My identity as an Asian, but also as a woman, as someone who has been raised in the global north and the global south, has an impact on how I’m allowed to ask questions, if I even get an interview at all, and how that person responds to those questions.

We often think that, we can just create a semi-structured interview guide: you email someone, you have an interview, you ask questions, you leave, you analyse your data, you write your academic research. When we’re working in conflict-affected context, when we’re dealing with also vulnerable realities, trauma, we have to be so sensitive to how those interactions actually work, and how access to persons and stories, are also so vulnerable to change.

This is one of the aspects I want to bring in here. As researchers, pedagogues, and educators, we need to be aware of how who we are does have an impact, even if we don’t want it to, even if we would hope that someone enters a room and is neutral of identity, race, gender, class, cast, et cetera, it’s very often not the case.

So this is, for me, an invitation. An invitation to be aware of who we are and how we affect those around us. How that influences how we ask questions, how we engage in conversation, but also how we practice peace.

If we’re not aware of that reality and we assume neutrality and rationality, then we’re also not aware of the impact that that may have on persons that we’re engaging with.

This conversation is part of a series called “A Conversation With…” undertaken within the framework of the Aurora 2030 programme supported by the European Commission. It is an interview format that focuses on a specific topic and is meant to inspire its readers to reflect on and catalyse positive impact. The exchange is available in its original format on the Aurora YouTube channel.

Hybrid Meeting Marks Milestone in Joint Master’s Programme on Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship

Universität Innsbruck, in cooperation with Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II (Italy) and Palacký University Olomouc (Czech Republic) and representatives of the Université Paris-Est Créteil (France), successfully convened a hybrid working meeting to launch the hybrid Joint Master Degree Programme entitled “Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship” (DIGISOC).

This innovative joint programme aims to address the pressing challenges, but also the opportunities, of increasing digitalisation through a collective effort. 42 colleagues from all involved universities and participating organisations took part in this intensive working session, either on-site or online.

During the meeting, the Vice Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at Universität Innsbruck, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Janette Walde, emphasised the need for a unified curriculum that effectively combines the diverse offerings of the three degree-awarding universities and for optional practical phases involving companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Aligning University Structures Into A Cohesive Programme

The complexity of aligning three different university structures into a cohesive programme was acknowledged as a significant challenge, but the commitment of the staff involved paved the way for future collaboration, moderated by the responsible Dean of Studies assoz. Prof. Mag. Dr. Nikolaus Umlauf and Christina Raab.

Key issues discussed included the development of scholarship opportunities, student enrollment processes, and key elements for the successful implementation of the Joint Master’s Programme. The selection process will be coordinated by Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. It was also agreed that each university will publish information about the Joint Master Programme and a call for scholarships, specifying the criteria and stipends, so that eligible students can apply. The aim of this initiative is to increase accessibility and to attract a wide range of students from different fields of study.

Participants also discussed in detail the creation of a comprehensive website to promote the Joint Master’s Programme. The proposed website will serve as a landing page with key information, including the application process. It is planned that the website will be ready for public access by the end of March 2025. In the meantime, the institutional information pages of the three degree-awarding universities will provide information and, of course, link to this page in the near future.

Launching of the Joint Master’s Programme

Looking ahead, the launch date for the Joint Master’s Programme is set for October 1, 2025. The universities expressed their collective commitment to address remaining challenges and completing the necessary accreditation and administrative processes in preparation for this date. The next steps will involve continued faculty and administrative collaboration, with a follow-up meeting scheduled to review progress and finalise outstanding issues.

The Joint Master Degree Programme “Digital Society, Social Innovation, and Global Citizenship” aims to prepare students to become leaders capable of managing global citizenship in a digital society while fostering social innovation; at the same time, it is a demonstration of the added value and feasibility of international cooperation in higher education.

DIGISOC originates from the Aurora Educational Hub “Digital Society & Global Citizenship”, which has facilitated the development of this two-year European Joint Master Degree Program (120 ECTS credits). Due to the ambitious and resource-intensive nature of this initiative, an additional project proposal, EURIDICE, has been submitted to the EU call DIGITAL-2022-SKILLS-03. DIGISOC has now been realised based on this call.

Back in Olomouc: My Experience As Aurora Student Ambassador

The Aurora Student Conference is a unique occasion for students from Aurora universities to meet in-person and exchange on topics addressing the opportunities and challenges for our students. The 2025 edition took place between 27 and 29 January 2025 at the Palacky University Olomouc (UP) in the Czech Republic. It welcomed 50 Aurora Student Council (ASC) members and Student Ambassadors across Aurora universities on the Olomouc campus. Throwback to the two-day intensive, student-led and student-focused programme by Ari Ljunggren, Bachelor degree student from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and second-year Aurora Student Ambassador.

There’s something special about returning to a place that once opened your eyes to new ideas. Two years ago, I arrived in Olomouc for the first time to take a course called Sustainable Social Enterprises at UP. In hindsight, this experience was more than just an academic course. It broadened my perspective on how businesses can rethink their priorities to create real, meaningful impact. Collaborating on a business idea with fellow students from CBS and UP made me realize that, with the right mindset, entrepreneurship can be a powerful force for positive change.

Fast-forward to today, now nearing the end of my bachelor’s degree, and I find myself back in Olomouc. This time, I’m here as Student Ambassador for Aurora, proudly representing CBS at the Aurora Student Conference 2025.

Day One: A Warm Welcome and a Grand Introduction

The conference began on Tuesday with an institutional welcome in a stunning, frescoed room on campus. The conference had two main goals: strengthening the European alliance’s community and collaborating on creative ways to enhance Aurora. The room was filled with students from nearly every Aurora partner university. I saw some familiar faces from past events, but also many new ones I was excited to meet.

The day kicked off with an Introduction to Aurora, outlining what makes this alliance unique among other European university networks. We explored its core mission, ongoing strategic initiatives, and the distinct opportunities it offers students. Having been part of Aurora for some time, I particularly appreciated and agreed with the speaker’s focus on Aurora’s well-structured events, a strong sense of community, and tangible opportunities for collaboration.

After a short coffee break, we jumped straight into the Aurora Student Council’s Open Session. This was an in-depth discussion on the role of the ASC, the impact it has had so far, and ways for students to shape its direction. The conversation highlighted key student-led initiatives, reinforcing how much influence we, as students, have within the organisation.

In the afternoon, we also attended a session on the Aurora Student Ambassador Programme, which focused on student leadership within Aurora, followed by the Beliefs, Events, and Values Index (BEVI) Workshop. In the Ambassador session, we explored how ambassadors act as a bridge between their home universities and the broader Aurora network, fostering engagement at both local and international levels. The BEVI workshop, on the other hand, was a thought-provoking experience that encouraged deep introspection about our own personal and collective values.

After the workshops and talks, we took a guided tour of the city. Although I had explored Olomouc before, I was once again struck by its charm and even picked up a few new facts from our guide, Jan. The university buildings are architectural gems, preserving their rich historical beauty. Throughout the city, Baroque fountains, a Soviet-era astronomical clock, and centuries-old spires stand in stark contrast to the sleek, functional designs of modern cities.

After the official programme ended, a few of us unleashed our competitive sides at a local go-kart track that evening. It may seem like an unusual post-conference activity, but it was a fantastic icebreaker. Cheering each other on (and occasionally bumping into one another’s karts) brought out everyone’s fun side. We ended the night with dinner at a traditional Moravian restaurant, where we had the chance to connect and share stories over the local cuisine.

Day Two: Workshops, Reflections, and Future Plans

The second day began with a peer learning workshop focused on mental health. We openly discussed ways to destigmatize mental health struggles and how different cultures approach these challenges. Hearing such a diverse range of perspectives was eye-opening. Everyone brought personal experiences, and by the end, we had a deeper understanding of how to support one another.

After lunch, we reviewed our collective BEVI results before moving into an afternoon public speaking workshop led by a fellow Swede. Public speaking has always been a challenge for me, but practicing in a supportive setting made all the difference. We received useful advice, tested new techniques, and encouraged each other. By the end, I felt more confident about tackling future presentations, whether in a classroom setting or at a conference.

To conclude the official program, we had a cultural exchange where each ASC member brought a unique treat from their home country to share. Students from across the alliance contributed a variety of specialties—Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) students brought macarons, Universität Innsbruck students offered wafer cookies, and the University of Iceland students presented dried fish chips (which, I must admit, I have yet to gather the courage to try!).

Exploring Aurora Students’ Values with the BEVI Test 

Looking Ahead

As the conference came to a close, I felt a mix of excitement and sadness. There’s something incredibly energizing about being surrounded by passionate students from across Europe, all working toward meaningful change in our communities and institutions.

Thankfully, I know this isn’t the end of my journey with Aurora–just another step forward. Over the past two years, I’ve seen the alliance evolve into a more streamlined, collaborative network, and I’m eager to stay involved. Perhaps I’ll contribute through the student council, especially given the growing momentum behind Aurora’s initiatives.

For those unfamiliar with Aurora: if you’ve ever thought about joining an Aurora project or conference, take this as your sign to do it! You’ll gain fresh perspectives, friendships that cross borders, and a deeper understanding of what’s possible in higher education.

A huge thank you to our generous hosts at UP, and to Aurora for constantly pushing us to think bigger, collaborate more, and challenge the status quo. I’m already looking forward to what’s next—if it’s anything like this experience, it’s going to be incredible.

seizmic AWARDS 2024 Celebrates Creativity and Innovation

Open all year round, the seizmic AWARDS is part of the social entrepreneurship and innovation activities being developed within the Aurora 2030 programme. Led by Copenhagen Business School (CBS), the AWARDS is an opportunity to recognise the creativity and innovation of students and early-stage social entrepreneurs. 

 This year, the seizmic AWARDS received a total of 45 submissions from across the globe. Projects submitted are built on the seizmic APP, an open access tool for all social entrepreneurs who aim to transform their business ideas into reality.

“We started the seizmic AWARDS with a shared passion for making a positive impact,” explains Kai Hockerts, professor at CBS and seizmic project coordinator. “The diversity and innovation in the submissions reflect the collective drive for positive change worldwide. Congratulations to every participant who contributes to building a better future.

Truly inspired by the quality of the social entrepreneurship projects submitted this year, the expert jury faced the challenging task of selecting the 2024 winners. After two rounds of jury selections, the following projects won the seizmic AWARDS 2024:

To access their full business model on Babele, you first need to create a user profile. Follow this step-by-step guide

First Place: thisABILITY

Team: Victor Ilic, Mathias Brun, Benjamin Eriksen, Augustas Skarbalius and Svend Hahn Larsen (Copenhagen Business School)
Discover the business model.

thisABILITY is a social enterprise dedicated to raising awareness about invisible disabilities through interactive exhibitions that allow people to experience what living with such conditions feels like. In Denmark, approximately 20% of the population lives with an invisible disorder, and the challenges they face are significant. Currently, 340,000 individuals with disabilities are unemployed, with one in three young people from this group lacking a job or education – compared to less than one in ten among those without disabilities. This disparity negatively impacts the life satisfaction of individuals with hidden disabilities and costs the Danish government up to 6 billion DKK annually (approximately 800 million euros).

 

Runner-up: Empowering local businesses

Team: Anna Rumenova, Daniel Türk, Stijn van Meerten, Miles del Prete, Lea Marie Adams (ESADE, Spain)
Discover the business model.

The objective is to build a sustainable business that empowers local shops by providing a digital platform to connect with both local and global customers. This social enterprise addresses a pressing social challenge: small local businesses often struggle to compete with online retail giants like Amazon. These businesses typically lack the resources, technical skills, and support necessary to establish a strong online presence, leaving them vulnerable to losing local customers to larger platforms. This trend weakens local economies, reduces the diversity of retail options and erodes respect for small businesses.

 

Runner-up: Synergy Hydrogen Solutions

Team: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), Netherlands
Discover the business model.

To address the issue of excess electricity during periods of high production and low demand, the project proposes using this surplus to produce hydrogen gas. Currently, wind turbines are often shut off because the power grid cannot accommodate the excess electricity, hindering the continuation of large solar and wind energy projects. Building local hydrogen plants can harness the full potential of existing green power sources, free up capacity for new renewable installations, and create green hydrogen fuel for mobility and various other applications.

 

Curious about the seizmic AWARDS 2025?

Submissions are now open! Go to seizmic AWARDS.

The Social Business Model Panorama helps in navigating each step in the development of an impactful project. To find out more, contact: seizmic@cbs.dk.

Aurora Student Council Makes Strong Impression at the European Students’ Union Conference 2024

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) recently showed its dedication to student advocacy and international collaboration at the European Students’ Union (ESU) Conference of Student Bodies of the European Alliances of higher education institutions.

Representing Aurora were four student leaders: Mathilde, ASC President and Andrea, ASC General Secretary, both from the Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), Sören, ASC Vice President from Copenhagen Business School, and Simona of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice. Their participation highlighted the council’s commitment to working together and sharing ideas with student leaders from other European university alliances.

The ESU is an organisation of 44 National Unions of Students (NUS) from 40 countries. Since 1982, it has been standing up for students’ rights across European countries. It organized the conference to bring together student representatives from all over Europe. ESU focuses on working with key institutions like the European Union, the Bologna Follow-up Group, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO. Some of its recent projects include addressing the EU Commission’s European Degree proposal, supporting students at risk, improving Erasmus+ programmes, and promoting equal access to education.

Strong Student Representation on the European Agenda

Over 100 students from 30 alliances attended the three-day conference, which focused on common challenges and opportunities for student representation. The first two days featured speakers who explained important topics like the Bologna Process and the European Commission’s agenda for higher education. Students joined round table discussions to share their experiences and discuss solutions to common problems. Furthermore, they came up with ideas to strengthen student involvement in European university alliances.

“These kinds of conferences are incredibly empowering,” said Mathilde. “They allow us to learn from the best practices of other student councils. They also enable us to recognise our strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve them.”

Simona, Aurora student representative, agreed. “It was very enriching to gather with student representatives from different European university alliances. We exchanged experiences in addressing similar problems that impact students in different universities. This conference was just a beginning of a very important cooperation.”

The ESU Conference provided an opportunity for students to connect, exchange ideas, and work toward common goals. The Aurora Student Council’s active involvement showed their commitment to making a positive impact and building stronger partnerships across Europe.

4th seizmic Hackathon Re-thinks Food Systems in the Anthropocene

Hosted by the University Federico II of Naples (UNINA), the fourth edition of the seizmic Hackathon “Re-thinking Food Systems in the Anthropocene” is one of the most consolidated training initiatives by the social entrepreneurship and innovation team at Aurora universities. Part of seizmic activities, the hackathon is the culmination of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) organised by UNINA, in partnership with Copenhagen Business School, University of Iceland, University Rovira i Virgili and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

From 21 to 25 October 2024, 50 students from Aurora universities visited Naples and the surrounding rural areas, Pietraroja and Morcone (in the province of Benevento). Thanks to the collaboration with Mario Festa, architect and President of the Rural Design for the Regeneration of Territories association (Ru.De.Ri.), the students were able to visit interesting examples of the regeneration of urban green areas and social promotion such as the orchard maintained by N’sea Yet in Viviani Park and Quartiere Intelligente in Naples.

Assessing Systemic Change

Coordinated by Ramon Rispoli, Adam Arvidsson, Benedetta Toledo and Nunzia Ambrosino, the aim of the seizmic Hackathon workshop was to develop design proposals for the transformation of food production and distribution systems in the Campania region. Students from diverse disciplines like Design, Business, Social Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, fostered a transdisciplinary dialogue to address the potential of real, systemic change within the region.

Through various field trips, students learnt more about local agriculture and tasted local food products. Chefs Peppe Zullo and Annamaria Mastrantuono delighted all participants with their exquisite regional cuisine. These field experiences enabled students to question the new role that particularly fragile rural areas – such as those in the Campania hinterland – could play in reorienting the food chain towards ecological compatibility and social justice.

seizmic Hackathon: A Comprehensive Programme

As a BIP funded by the Erasmus+ programme, the seizmic Hackathon workshop was divided into virtual and in-person components. Both components consisted of lectures which covered the following topics:

  • Anthropocene by Adam Arvidsson, full professor of Sociology, UNINA.
  • Re‐thinking the City Through Food, and Design for Social Innovation by Ramon Rispoli, associate professor of Design, UNINA.
  • Consumer Input in Designing Sustainable Food Supply Chains by Laurence Beierlein, visiting professor from Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC).
  • Social Innovation and Food Waste by Nunzia Ambrosino and Benedetta Toledo, PhD students, UNINA.
  • How to Integrate a Community In a Social Innovation Project by Marco Cecere, architect and designer, Avventura di Latta.
  • Introduction to Naples Markets by Adam Arvidsson, and Eugenia Santoro, researcher, UNINA.
  • Glocalizing Food: The Informal Kitchens of Piazza Garibaldi by Dario Minervini, Cristina Trey and Najoua El Kasmi.

After a week of lectures, field trips and intense group work, the students presented their systemic design proposals for rethinking food systems in the Campania Region before the Final Jury composed of Laurence Beierlein, Dario Catania and Luca Esposito. These projects will be part of the seizmic Awards 2024, a competition organised by Copenhagen Business School to promote creative and innovative social entrepreneurs.

To learn more about the seizmic Hackathon course content and discover its activities in detail, as well as staying up-to-date on the next editions, follow the seizmic Hackathon instagram page @hackathon_aurora_dbe.

SDG-Oriented Research and Education in Transdisciplinary Hubs

The new millennium is the first “urban millennium”: more people live in cities and towns than in the countryside, and urban settings are now the core sites of economic growth and social interactions. At the same time, too many urban dwellers lack access to public green spaces, public transportation, education, or health care. These are some of the fundamental changes addressed by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 (U.N., Transforming Our World, 2015). And these are changes that need to be studied by students and researchers alike.

How Can Universities Contribute to SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities?

The SDG 11 calls on academic research and education to help “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.” It lists cultural production, education, sports, and mental and physical health among the factors that improve the livability of cities. Aurora scholars, students, and professionals in the fields of literature, culture, society, and medicine ask: what does it take to intervene in urban change, especially if this intervention comes at the very point at which a concrete city becomes a better or a worse place for its human and non-human inhabitants?

There is a new sense that literature and the arts might play a bigger role than previously understood. Novels, poems, pamphlets, films, artwork, music: they all have a special license to connect the past to the present and to the future in fresh and sometimes startling ways. These cultural products explore the uses and consequences of history, they envision a different, formerly untold past, and they imagine a radically new future. And they might be able to change urban planning processes. As Simone d’Antonio, a member of the EU-funded project URBACT suggests, “[s]torytelling is a key tool for improving any urban planning process, both for engaging residents in different dimensions of the spatial regeneration as for helping professionals in better understanding users’ needs”. But how and in what ways has storytelling become crucial to these concise historical, social, and economic interventions? And how can the Aurora European university alliance leverage the power of storytelling to work towards healthy cities?

At the invitation of Barbara Buchenau from University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), lead of Aurora 2030 Work Package 2 and director of the City Scripts graduate research group funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, the two-day Scripting Futures for Urban Sustainability symposium pursued two interconnected goals:

  • First, concerning the proclaimed power of storytelling, key findings were presented from the city scripts research concerning the urban impact of a limited set of stories told about postindustrial cities in the United States and Germany. In examining “legacy cities” (Mallach/Brachman, 2013) like those affected by extractive economies of coal and steel, it was found that the narratives surrounding these places have significant implications for the kinds of futures that become possible. Visions of decline and stories of resilience often equally determine how communities engage with the urban transformations to be mastered. These examples illustrate storytelling’s contradictory roles in all attempts to ‘flip the script’ of any given neighborhood.
  • Second, the symposium drew on the expertise of Aurora researchers, students and stakeholders as well as international contributors to explore the potential of concrete changes in urban health management, in urban sports, and planning practice to actually “script” the direction of future social transformations (see Sulimma / Buchenau / Gurr 2023). Together, the task was set to find answers to the following question: What are the chances and the stakes of telling convincing stories about health, sports, and urban planning that allow a fair and equitable contribution to real urban change?

Welcome Address by Barbara Buchenau

Symposium on Scripting Futures for Urban Sustainability

The symposium “Scripting Futures for Urban Sustainability” took place on June 6-7, 2024, at the University of Duisburg-Essen and the College for Social Sciences and Humanities, Essen. This event, generously funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and UDE’s Förderverein, concluded the work of the City Scripts Graduate Research Group (2018-2024) and it launched the Healthy Cities Initiative of the Aurora Transdisciplinary Educational Hubs Culture: Identities and Diversities, and Health & Well-Being.

The symposium brought together 88 participants, including researchers, students, and professionals from the humanities, social sciences, and medical fields, to explore the crucial, yet complex role of storytelling in urban planning and sustainability. The event featured a public lecture by Aurora Fellow for Health and Well-being Marcus Zepf from Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) on “Adaptable and Healthy Cities: Permanent Autopoietic Process,” presentations by researchers from Università Federico II of Naples, Palacký University Olomouc and UDE, a critical intervention by Deputy Mayor of Essen Simone Raskob, and a comparative perspective provided by two members of UNIC, a European university alliance focusing on industrial cities. Additionally, talks by 19 international researchers, a visit by a student delegation from Johns Hopkins University led by the historian Victoria Harms, a book launch, and networking opportunities offered much food for thought.

Students played an active role throughout both days as presenters, interviewers, and critical voices who offered fresh perspectives on the core research question. They directed a poster presentation that showcased their own research in the field, they conducted interviews with participants, and they contributed to discussions with a critical eye, challenging assumptions and proposing new approaches to sustainable urban development.

Students as Critics of Academic Writers. Left to Right: Pia Schümmelfelder (MA student UDE), Jens Gurr (editor of City Scripts, 2023, UDE), Barbara Buchenau (editor of City Scripts, 2023, UDE), and Dana Sitnikov (MA student UDE)

Learning and Research for Healthy Cities

After the event, Mona Gutmann and Jacqueline Ruffen, M.A. students of American Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen, presented an insightful report on the two-day event. They emphasized key themes and discussion points, focusing especially on the transatlantic comparison between the U.S. Rust Belt and Germany’s Ruhr region. Gutmann and Ruffen examined how both areas coped with deindustrialization and urban transformation. They used their own learning experience to explain the role of storytelling in urban planning, providing a poem by Mona Gutmann to show exemplarily how literature, street art, and architecture can help to bring about more sustainable and inclusive futures.

Additionally, they stressed the symposium’s alignment with UN SDG 11, showing where concrete paths towards inclusive and sustainable urbanization had been mapped out. Gutmann and Ruffen were particularly impressed by discussions on urban health management, gender sensitivity in medical care, and the role of visual and narrative arts in urban interventions. Their report emphasizes the importance of community involvement in urban planning, asking especially for processes that respect and integrate local histories and identities in redevelopment and revitalization projects.

To continue the work begun during the symposium, there will be a student-driven Aurora research workshop titled “Scripting Urban Resilience” hosted by Florian Freitag, Barbara Buchenau, and Zohra Hassan-Pieper in Essen at the College for Social Sciences and Humanities on 15 October 2024. Additionally, Barbara Buchenau (UDE) and Marcus Zepf (UPEC) will conduct an Aurora summer school 2025 called “Scripting Healthy Cities” to further explore sustainable and adaptable urban environments.

Brainstorming for Future European Transdisciplinary Research and Education. Left to Right, Anke Hinney (University Hospital Essen), Marcus Zepf (École d’Urbanisme de Paris, UPEC), Petra Günther (International Office, UDE) and Barbara Buchenau (Faculty of the Humanities, UDE)

Global Learning Experience at the VU Amsterdam Summer School

This past summer, VU Amsterdam hosted its 11th Summer School edition, welcoming 380 students on its campus, including several students from Aurora universities across Europe.

Throughout July and August, VU Amsterdam Summer School provided 24 exceptional short courses designed specifically for students from Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. Lasting between one to two weeks, these highly-intensive courses cover diverse subjects such as international law, environmental science and policy, and statistical research.

Passionate Professors Empowering Future Entrepreneurs

Dedicated professors from the university shared their knowledge and expertise through interactive lectures, challenging group discussions, and  practical assignments. One course in particular, “New Venture Creation in the Amsterdam Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” used a state-of-the-art tool for students to work on their business ideas. Led by professor Enno Masurel, Aurora students were able to envision the potential growth of their start-up ventures through “Business Model Canvas for Start-ups & Scale-ups”.

Beyond business models, Aurora students also reflected on how they could each make a positive impact that responds to the issues within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Creating A Lasting Impact

The summer school would not have been complete without offering students insights into the Dutch culture. Thanks to the university’s International Office, students explored Amsterdam through an array of cultural activities, including city tours, museum visits and workshops.

The VU Amsterdam Summer School offered a comprehensive and enriching experience. It blended quality academic knowledge and hands-on learning, with immersive cultural activities. The programme’s diverse and inclusive environment fosters cross-cultural understanding and promotes collaboration among students from around the world. It provided  opportunities for students to network, form friendships, and create lasting memories.