About this research project

This research project is a part of a European Union financed cluster initiative called Media Evolution. In the application this project is part of what is called Moving Media Southern Sweden 1, (MMSS1) with a focus on Research and Development. My name is Pernilla Severson, PhD Media Communication Studies, and my role is to as a research fellow carry through this project, 50% part time 2009-2011. In total I will do 9,5 work months. I am based at the research center Medea Collaborative Media Initiative, at Malmö University. Other people are also financed by this project. Project leader August 2009 – May 2011 is Bo Reimer and May 2011 – Dec 2011 is Karin Johansson Mex.

In cluster initiatives there is always a locating of the ongoing innovation practices. The project is therefore carried throughdoing ethnographic research of local participatory innovation practices. This will provide greater understanding of how companies in different media sectors are tackling challenges through innovation and how their connection to the academy might look like. Because this subproject in Media Evolution is making links between academia and companies, one part of the project is to study and give input on innovation research.

The question of how different interactions can lead to innovation is specifically highlighted. Interactions both within organizations and with other stakeholders and users are essential elements for creating and sustaining innovation.