Information on individual educational components (ECTS-Course descriptions) per semester

Participating students are expected to have a scientific, technical and/or creative interest, as well as the impulse and ability to work independently and to ask questions. The selection is therefore based on a written expression of interest and a selection interview. participation in this course covers two semesters. In addition to the course, there is the opportunity to participate in a UAS-wide "Student Innovation Challenge". Here you can contribute your ideas and business models and thus get a chance to realize your project. Your creativity and innovative spirit combined with our expertise is a guarantee for future-oriented and sustainable solutions. The infrastructure of the University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg is available to you practically without limits. More information on the format can be found in the first presence modules.

It is possible to continue the research project as part of a master's thesis.

It is possible to continue the research project as part of a master's thesis. 

What makes global challenges so complex? And how can digital innovations contribute to mastering central social and entrepreneurial challenges of the present and the future and promote sustainable development? Based on these questions, students in the Innovation Class: Sustainability develop theoretically sound digital innovations whose chances of success they learn to assess using the instrument of the Lean Canvas and which they reflect on with regard to various dimensions of sustainability. 

In practice-oriented project designs they create prototypes and business models - supported by a team of coaches from the fields of technology, design, social and economic issues - and learn to combine different disciplines and perspectives. 

Through these projects they acquire

• practical and theoretical knowledge that can be used in innovation processes in the context of their working lives
• an overview of global challenges and current approaches from the development in the above mentioned research context,
• Experience in interdisciplinary cooperation 
• In-depth methodological knowledge, which is not standard in the core curricula
• practical and theoretical knowledge that can be applied in innovation processes in the context of working life
• knowledge about the development and evaluation of business models
• especially knowledge of the advantages of different design approaches (Design Thinking/ Human Centered Design; Design-driven innovation)
• as well as knowledge about different dimensions of sustainable development and their interactions

At the beginning, students in this Innovation Class delve into current research questions and the analysis of complex problems. Afterwards they develop concrete solutions and prototypes in teams. Using the instrument of Lean Canvas, they sketch and evaluate their ideas, which are then implemented by an interdisciplinary team of coaches. As learners they are given the time to develop not only technical but also social design. At the beginning of this Innovation Class, students will delve into current research questions and the analysis of complex problems. Afterwards they develop concrete solutions and prototypes in teams. They use the instrument of Lean Canvas to sketch and evaluate their ideas, which are then implemented by an interdisciplinary team of coaches. As learners they are given the time to develop not only technical but also social design. The constructive handling of appreciative criticism is practiced as a cultural achievement.

Degree of achievement of previously defined learning and work goals with reference to the previous knowledge of the student. 

Commitment in the team 

Documentation of learning outcomes and project implementation.

An FH-internal presentation together with the other students in this Innovation Class or the "Student Innovation Challenge" as well as a possible integration in other research projects is supported.

None.

Bauer, Susanne; Heinemann, Torsten; Lemke, Thomas (2017): Science and Technology Studies. Klassische Positionen und aktuelle Perspektiven, Berlin: Suhrkamp Verlag.

Blank, Steve & Dorf, Bob (2014): Das Handbuch für Startups: Schritt für Schritt zum erfolgr. Unternehmen, Köln: O’Reilly Verlag.

Brand, Ulrich; Wissen, Markus (2017): Imperiale Lebensweise. München: oekom Verlag.

Maurya, Ash (2013): Running Lean - Das How-to für erfolgreiche Innovationen, Köln: O’Reilly Verlag.

Ries, Eric (2014): Lean Startup: Schnell, risikolos und erfolgreich Unternehmen gründen, USA: Crown Publishing Group. 

Manzini, Ezio (2015): Design, When Everybody Designs: An Introduction to Design for Social Innovation. Cambridge: MIT Pr.

Papanek, Victor (2009): Design für die reale Welt. Anleitungen für eine humane Ökologie und sozialen Wandel. Wien: Springer Verlag.

Verganti, Roberto (2009), Design-driven Innovation: Changing the Rules of Competition by Radically Innovating what Things Mean, Harvard: Harvard Business Press Kelley, Tom & Littman, Jonathan (2016): The Art Of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm, London: Profile Books

Dark HorseInnovation (2017): Digital Innovation Playbook: The essential exercise book for founders, doers and managers, USA: Murmann Publishers. 

…and further material and Internet sources.

Students receive theoretical and practical input from a team of lecturers from the fields of technology, social affairs, design and economics. Support from lecturers and researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg is provided through coaching, instruction, participation in discussions and seminars as well as accompanied self-study.