Innovative breakthroughs in research rarely happen by accident—they require structured methodologies, an agile mindset, and an institutional environment that actively embraces change. Innovation & Culture Workshop is an intensive 1.5-day applied training format organized by KIT FORGE at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Designed for scientists, principal investigators, postdocs, and team leads, the workshop bridges hands-on innovation frameworks with leadership-driven organizational culture.
Across two focused days, participants transform real research topics into practical innovation concepts using proven Design Thinking tools, while developing the leadership strategies needed to foster a culture of adaptability and change within their own research groups.
Workshop structure & modules
Day 1: Hands-on innovation frameworks & market orientation (full day)
- Starting an innovation project: Collaborative small-group work using the structured Innovation Framework applied directly to research topics provided by the cohort.
- Methodological inputs: Practical guidance covering ideation, technology push vs. market pull, and Design Thinking with real-word examples.
- Market orientation: Hands-on exercises to assess market potential, customer needs, and real-world application fields for lab technologies.
Day 2: Innovation culture & change management (half day)
- Shaping innovation culture: Interactive exploration of innovation culture—what defines it, where supervisors can exert influence, and how to drive meaningful cultural change.
- Change-curve analysis: Deep-dive into the phases of organizational change, identifying what specific support team members need at each stage based on concrete examples from participants' own research teams.
- Actionable next steps: Synthesis of learnings into tangible, immediate next steps that supervisors can offer and implement with their team members back in the lab.
Have questions or interested? Get in touch!
