See TUMonline

The goal of this week-long course is process-oriented, meaning the students’ learning is on the process, rather than solely focused on the theory. Students are asked to interact on a current innovation case, getting involved in the details and execution, and using STS theory as a philosophical background. Students will be given the opportunity to practice co-creation themselves and determine how it works in solving problems and/or determining a route to do so. This makes for an interactive and application-oriented learning experience, with a base of STS theory.

During this week, we will flirt with philosophy of science, immerse ourselves in key STS topics, and get dirty with the complexity of applying theory to a current innovation case. Together we will work on a real-life case, provided by Julia’s company, which has to do with one German city that aims to test and implement a digital twin and thus transition into a new era of mobility. We have five full days together, including the kick-off meeting in November. During the kick-off meeting, which is mandatory for all students, you will receive all relevant materials for this week, including a list of the STS articles and the details of the case study. It is important all participants be familiar with the case, as our co-creative role play is based on it. We will also be dividing the group into your roles. Each group will be expected to know the professional motivations and responsibilities of their assigned role. The roles include: 1. The company building the digital solution 2. The public 3. The city 4. The consultants 5. A public transportation union During the first three days of the week, we will delve into our five STS topics: (1) infrastructure; (2) matters of care; (3) innovation; (4) digitization; and (5) public participation. Each group will be assigned one of these STS topics to be used as their philosophical background, which will support them in their arguments. Armed with their role and theoretical text, each group will prepare their position, from which they will approach the case, argue their position, expectations, and desired outcomes. The final two days of the week, the entire group will be engaged in a live summit, each person representing their group. Our goal: determine how to modernize the mobility system of the German city in the case through its digital twin; how we plan on executing this plan, by when, and to what extent will this plan solve the city’s transportation and pollution issues? Together in this live-action model, we will see what co-creation looks like in its application, along with the challenges cities, companies, and the public face when new innovations are introduced. The final hours of the week will include a reflection on the process and the group interaction.

None. The course is designed for (graduate) students with a broad range of backgrounds who are interested in the relationship between innovation and society.

Students are asked to read at least five STS theory articles (20-25 pages each) and actively participate during the project week, as the group will meet every day. The students will work both in small groups and together in the large plenary session towards the end of the week. Each student is also required to submit a short (500 word) reflection paper on their experience of the process and their learnings.

Pass/Fail. This is an interactive course, focused primarily on the experience of the process, which requires each student to come prepared to actively engage with each other as well as the instructors.