FRANCE, Paris: Innovation in Society

The virtual component of the Blended Intensive Programme “Innovation in Society” is designed as a collaborative and interdisciplinary learning space dedicated to analysing the role of social, technological, and organisational innovations in improving individual and collective well-being within contemporary societies.

1. Topics

The main goal of the virtual component is to introduce participants to the core thematic areas of the programme. Below is a non-exhaustive list of topics that are in line with the vision and goal of the programme:

• Innovation and quality of life: how do emerging technologies (digital tools, connected health, smart mobility) contribute to enhancing individual and collective well-being?
• Social innovation and inclusion: exploration of initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities, strengthening civic participation, and supporting vulnerable communities.
• Sustainability and responsible innovation: examination of the tensions between technological progress, environmental sustainability, and social equity.
• Public policies and innovation ecosystems: analysis of the roles of institutions, universities, and businesses in fostering environments that support innovation for well-being.
• Other topics may include innovations in public health and sport, sustainable urban development and planning, or collaborative digital platforms. 

Each team identifies a concrete societal challenge and develops an innovation-oriented solution based on existing data or examples. Innovation is here understood in the broad sense of the term, as new products, new services, new practices and application new technologies

2. Organisation

The second purpose of the virtual component is to explain how their week will be organised. The main lines are as follows:

• Group work: Students are organised into international and multidisciplinary teams. Depending on the total number of attendees, the size of the teams are expected to be between 5 and 8 students.
• Everyday, students will have a clear to-do list that specify what they have to do and advices. Deadlines must be respected.
• Professors are also participating as tutors to help students.
• At the end of the week, teams will publicly present their work.
• Grades are based on three elements: behaviour; daily works; final presentation.
• Don’t worry: this is not an English class! What counts most are your ideas and insights, not your level of English.

3. Q&A

The final purpose of the virtual component is to answer students’ and professors’ questions about the programme (goal, content, what is expected, organisation) and about practical issues (venue, accommodation, etc.).

At the end of the session, the ppt presentation will be to students.