Living Labs

                                        What is a living Lab?

The concept of Living Lab was coined in 1998 by William Mitchell, an architect and urban studies professor at MIT. However, the origin of this approach can be traced back to Scandinavia where it was initially conceived as a response to the challenges of traditional research and development processes, which often lacked real-world relevance and failed to incorporate end-users in the innovation process. Over time, the Living Lab approach expanded beyond technology and innovation domains, finding applications in various sectors, including healthcare, education, urban planning, sustainability, and social services.

The Living Lab approach is an innovative and participatory research methodology that brings together diverse stakeholders to collaboratively explore and co-create knowledge, solutions, and experiences. It emphasizes the importance of involving end-users and stakeholders in all stages of the research or innovation process. This collaborative and participatory model allows for a deeper understanding of the needs, preferences, and experiences of those directly affected by the outcomes. In other words, this participatory framework ensures that the perspectives and insights of all stakeholders are considered, fostering a more inclusive and holistic understanding of the research topic. Common elements of the living labs method include multi-method approach, user engagement, multiple stakeholders, real-life settings, and co-creation of an environment for innovation. This approach encourages iterative learning and adaptation where stakeholders continuously reflect on their experiences, refine their approaches, and build on previous insights, promoting continuous improvement.

 

Listening Lab: Exploring key terms and concepts in mental health research through music

In a two-day workshop conducted over a weekend (24th and 25th June, 2023), our young researchers from the YPAGs, arts practitioners and research scientists got together in what we called the Listening Lab, to explore some of the key terms and concepts in mental health research through musical compositions, soundscapes, and performances. Music acted as a catalyst for emotional expression and provided a safe and creative space for stakeholders to share their unique perspectives.

Through collaborative songwriting and storytelling sessions, young researchers came together to collectively create narratives and melodies that reflected their understandings of terms like loneliness, safe space, community, resilience, wellbeing and stigma among others. With the use of field recordings, ambient sounds, and musical elements, participants constructed sonic narratives that reflected their lived realities and perceptions of the given terms. This multi-sensory approach enhances the richness and authenticity of their contributions. Moreover, with music, their voices were amplified, and their narratives became fundamental contributions to the exploration of research and mental health concepts.

Music has the capacity to bridge communication gaps and dissolve barriers between diverse stakeholder groups. The Listening Lab harnessed the power of music to foster meaningful interactions between researchers, practitioners, and young people with lived experiences, fostering empathy and understanding. The sessions served as spaces for shared reflection and learning. Participants engaged in discussions about the meaning and implications of the music they had co-created, which allowed deeper insights into the multifaceted nature of research and mental health-related terms.

---

To see some of the final performances from the weekend you can click on the below links