Based on university properties, living labs use academic and operational processes, and infrastructure and natural assets to support applied research and innovation.

They usually have explicit sustainability agendas or are closely connected with local or regional sustainable development goals, and emphasize serving the needs of the communities and societies in which they operate.

 

Collaboration

Living labs enable collaboration between diverse groups with a shared interest in the project or innovation. These groups are equal partners, each have a voice in the decision-making process, contribute to project development and implementation and share the outcomes. The specific structure of each collaboration and the roles of participants is based on project needs.
 

Knowledge Exchange

Living labs emphasize learning and knowledge exchange, enabling collaborators to participate in a cycle of learning and iterative improvement. One important outcome of a living lab project is the ability of collaborators to share their knowledge and experience beyond the project team.

 

UBC Living Lab Characteristics 

UBC Campus as a Living Lab projects embody five core characteristics that define what they aim to achieve and how they deliver meaningful impacts.

1. Innovation
Living lab projects advance novel ideas, processes and practices that address real-world sustainability challenges and inspire change within and beyond UBC.

2. Research Excellence
Living lab projects upholds academic rigor through clear research questions, robust methodologies and well-defined processes, contributing new insights to knowledge, policy, and practice.

3. Relevance to UBC Campus and Community
Living lab projects are rooted in UBC’s strategic priorities and operational realities, ensuring tangible improvements that contribute to positive change across its campuses and communities.

4. Student Engagement and Learning Opportunities
Living lab projects create experiential, interdisciplinary learning opportunities that empower students to contribute meaningfully while gaining valuable skills and mentorship.

5. Potential Impacts and Knowledge Sharing
Living lab projects have the potential to scale, adapt and share knowledge widely—building tools, partnerships and enabling collective learning to address sustainability challenges in other communities. 

 

Learn more

Download the booklet below for a more comprehensive overview of UBC Campus as a Living Lab history and activities. 

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