Rock Your Research (RYR) is a transformative initiative designed to turn Higher Education Institution (HEIs) spaces into hubs for social value and knowledge exchange. By encouraging collaboration among artists, researchers, and citizens, RYR strengthens the Third Mission of HEIs, blending creative and academic disciplines through innovative yet flexible approaches. The three year project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme and runs from December 2024 to November 2027.
The project will foster guided yet open dialogues on scientific topics between artists, researchers and citizens, creating a platform for trust and collaboration in the form of Rock It Labs. The culmination of these interactions will be the creation of artworks that communicate scientific messages to wider audiences.
Key components are:
- Rock It Cafes: Spaces for transdisciplinary dialogue
- Rock It Map: A tool for visualising existing resources and collaborations
- Rock It Labs: Collaborative spaces for small-scale artist-researcher projects
Through these activities, RYR aims to enrich the art-science nexus, make scientific knowledge more accessible, and promote the development of inclusive societies. The project’s ultimate goal is to enhance engagement, fostering a strategic approach to the Third Mission in higher education.
In the Rock Your Research project, Public & Science Sweden is leading the development and running of the Rock it Cafés and Rock it Labs.
The Rock It Cafés provide a space for interdisciplinary exchanges between artists, researchers, and citizens, bridging the gap between academia and the broader community. The Rock It Cafés will include sessions and workshops designed to gather input from participants, ensuring that the projects developed reflect the community’s needs and aspirations.
In the Rock It Labs, artists and researchers will collaborate while considering these perspectives, thereby generating outcomes that benefit society. The labs will offer a nurturing space for small-scale projects, providing resources and guidance to participants throughout their creative process.
Project partners are:
- Linnéuniversitetet, Sweden (Coordinator)
- Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), Germany
- University of Granada, Spain
- University of Malaga, Spain
- Public & Science Sweden
