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A Fast-Track Training Program for Living Lab Methodologies: program components, acceptability, and participant
Kim Helsen1, Vicky Van der Auwera1, Femke Drijkoningen1
1LiCalab Living & Care Lab, Centre of Expertise Care and Well-being, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Geel, 2440, Belgium.
Open Research Europe
|May 4, 2026
Summary
A new training program helps researchers adopt user-centred Living Lab methodologies. The program received high satisfaction ratings, boosting participant confidence in applying these innovative research practices.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Innovation Studies
- Research Management
Background:
- Living Labs drive innovation via user-centred approaches, but sustainable implementation remains a challenge.
- Cultivating researcher expertise in user-centred research, living lab practices, and co-design is crucial.
- Emphasizing societal relevance and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is key for the research community.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present and evaluate a novel training program for onboarding external researchers into Living Lab Research Infrastructures.
- To familiarize participants with transnational visits and collaborations within the VITALISE project.
- To assess the effectiveness of modular training in key Living Lab topics.
Main Methods:
- Development and evaluation of a modular training program within the VITALISE project.
- Training covered Living Lab methodology, research practice harmonization, and participant management.
- A questionnaire evaluated 49 participants' satisfaction and perceived usefulness.
Main Results:
- High participant satisfaction and perceived usefulness across all training modules.
- Most participants reported increased confidence in applying Living Lab methodologies post-training.
- Individual interest variations indicated a need for flexible, tailored training programs.
Conclusions:
- Targeted, adaptable training initiatives are effective for enabling researchers to integrate Living Lab methodologies.
- Further formal evaluation of learning gains is necessary.
- Developing structured, scalable, and context-sensitive training programs is essential for sustainable Living Lab research.
