Reality Lab for Widening Participation
Reference number | |
Coordinator | Karlstads universitet - Avdelningen för student och ledningsservice |
Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 675 992 |
Project duration | June 2018 - February 2021 |
Status | Completed |
Venture | Sustainable food systems |
Important results from the project
The aim of the reality lab Rethink:Kau was to develop and establish methods for testing digital tools that give all students the same opportunities to succeed in their studies. The goal was to focus on students who are in gender minority in their education, who have a disability, and who have a foreign or non-academic background. The project would also engage companies in the digital industry and disseminate methods and results within the organization and to external organizations.
Expected long term effects
Rethink:Kau has established the Follow-Method, a service design method, and disseminated it to other organizations through training, workshops, and presentations. Within the project, student needs were identified and digital tools have been developed and reality tested. The project has shown that the method is very successful in meeting needs and reach the right results, which benefits both users and suppliers. The project has been established as a permanent organization based on the Follow-Method and supports the organization in organizational development.
Approach and implementation
The project was structured around the four student groups with semester-based studies where experiences were gathered, needs were identified, ideas were co-created, concepts and prototypes were tested and tools were developed or found on the market. Relevant stakeholders were involved in all steps, from the student group to staff, developers, and suppliers. The results were demonstrated to users and communicated both internally and externally. The receiving internal organization was also involved early in the studies to ensure the survival of the results.