New European resource highlights collaboration between research, art and society

Examples of collaboration across Europe

The Rock Your Research Map is an interactive online platform featuring case studies of art–science collaborations across European higher education institutions. Designed as both an inspiration tool and a practical resource, it highlights initiatives where researchers, artists and citizens work together to address societal challenges.

What sets the map apart is its focus on participatory engagement and knowledge valorisation – how research is transformed into meaningful societal, cultural or economic value.

To build the map, project partners identified and analysed dozens of initiatives across Europe, using a structured selection process and in-depth interviews with project leaders. The resulting case studies explore not only outcomes, but also methods, collaboration processes and real-world impact.

Rock It Map Swedish case study: Carbon Dioxide Theatre – explored how participatory theatre and design methods can be used in a museum setting to engage people with climate change. Photo: Västmanlands County Museum

Case studies are being progressively added to the platform, with a number already live and more to be added shortly. The platform also includes additional resources – tools, initiatives and publications – for those interested in developing their own art-science collaborations.

While many art–science initiatives exist across Europe, fewer actively involve citizens in participatory processes throughout the collaboration. The Rock Your Research project seeks to better understand and address this gap.

“Many art–science collaborations already exist, but we still need a better understanding of how to involve citizens more actively in shaping and using knowledge. By mapping these initiatives – and piloting new approaches ourselves – we can learn what works in practice and how collaboration can lead to meaningful societal value,” says Lena Söderström, Project Manager of Rock Your Research at Public & Science Sweden.

Rock it Cafés: creating spaces for dialogue and co-creation

Alongside the development of map, the project has successfully implemented the first Rock it Cafés – dialogue-based events that bring together researchers, artists and citizens to explore shared questions and spark collaboration.

These cafés act as entry points for collaboration, creating informal and creative environments where participants can exchange perspectives, build trust and identify ideas for future projects.

The first cafés have already taken place in Spain and Sweden:

University of Málaga (May 2025) – a large, festival-style event combining debate, artistic elements and public engagement
University of Granada (October 2025) – featuring micro-talks, networking and live music to showcase a vibrant art–science ecosystem
Linnaeus University (October & December 2025) – smaller, workshop-based sessions focusing on deep dialogue and themes such as sustainable health and democracy

The first Rock it Café run by Linnaeus University brought together researchers, artists and civic society around the theme of listening and sustainable health. Photo: Lina Boman Lagerström, Linnaeus University

Together, these events have engaged over 200 participants, including researchers, artists and citizens, demonstrating strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and new forms of public engagement.

Public & Science Sweden has led the advisory and documentation work for the methodologies underpinning both the Rock it Cafés and the Rock It Map.

From dialogue to action

The Rock it Cafés are not standalone events – they are part of a broader process. Ideas and connections emerging from the cafés will feed into the next phase of the project: Rock it Labs, where interdisciplinary teams will develop small-scale collaborative projects. These will later be showcased in exhibitions linked to the third Rock it Cafés in 2027.