DES’SIDE iA* Lab aims to contribute, through creative people and nature-centered approaches, to the reflection, practice and assessment of Design for Sustainability, Social Innovation, Cultural and Artistic Entrepreneurship, and Circular Economy.
The created knowledge will contribute to a more effective technological transition and the innovation and development of sustainable products, services, and systems with social impact. Collaborative processes, action research practices, mixed methodologies, and inter, multi and transdisciplinary approaches will be constant in this thematic Laboratory.
In this iA*Lab, they will have as main goals:
a) The production of theoretical, methodological, and operative knowledge that results in the disciplinary statement of Design for Sustainability, Social Innovation, Cultural and Artistic Entrepreneurship, and Circular Economy;
b) The promotion of collaborative processes, cultural sensibility, environmental awareness and technological literacy suitable to contemporary social challenges in the framework of Sustainable Development Objectives (SDGs);
c) Facilitating technological transition towards a more sustainable, digital, and resilient society;
d) The good integration and professional practice of future designers, with respect for natural ecosystems and with a positive impact on the individual well-being and socio-cultural environments of the communities where they operate.