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Inspirational Speakers

Andoni Hidalgo

EIT Climate KIC

Bio

Andoni Hidalgo Simón is Designer and Producer for the Industry Value Chain Cluster at EIT Climate KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative, a Knowledge and Innovation Community working to bridge the gap between climate commitments and current reality.

At Climate KIC, Andoni manages the Gipuzkoa Deep Demonstration, a place-based project boosting a systemic approach using policy experimentation and involving multistakeholder cooperation and multilevel governance in the quest towards ambitious climate action and broader social, environmental and economic sustainability. Andoni has a Law degree from Deusto University in Bilbao, post-graduate on EU Affairs from Le Havre University (France) and Masters on Political Communication from Barcelona University. He has over 20 years of experience on management of multi-stakeholder International projects, 17 of them spent in Brussels, where he worked for various cross-sector, innovative alliances involving industry, NGOs and public Institutions on EU policies.

In addition to his work at Climate KIC Andoni is also acting as International Affairs advisor for the Basque Government’s Urban Agenda, and as external consultant for UN Habitat, United Nations’ Programme for human settlements. He is the author of the research “SDG localisation and multi-level governance: lessons from the Basque Country” for the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, expert evaluator for EU LIFE Programme and visiting Professor at the Universities of Deusto, Barcelona and Alicante.

Aranzazu Calleja

Music Composer for Film & Performing Arts

Bio

Aranzazu Calleja has a degree in fine arts and is a violin teacher. She began writing music for film with Borja Cobeaga, with whom she has worked on his four feature films. Her first collaboration, “La primera vez” was nominated for a Goya Award and the second, “Éramos pocos” for an Oscar from the Academy. Her filmography includes titles such as “Psiconautas. Los niños olvidados” by Alberto Vázquez and Pedro Rivero (Goya 2016 for best animated film), “El hoyo” by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia or “Akelarre” by Pablo Agüero, for which she received the Goya and the 2020 Premio Platino for best music together with Maite Arroitajauregi. Some of her latest works have been the soundtracks of “Cinco Lobitos” by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, “Irati” (with Maite Arroitajauregi) by Paul Urkijo and the HBO series “No me gusta conducir” by Borja Cobeaga. She has just finished the soundtrack for “Rich Flu”, an international co-production of Nostromo and Pablo Larrain directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia and is currently working on the music for “Marco”, the Moriarti’s new feature film.

Jon Maya

Bio

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Our Thematic Areas’ speakers

TA1 – Governance and CCIs

Pier Luigi Sacco

Coordinator

Senior Advisor to the OECD and Director of the Policy Optimizer of the EIT Culture & Creativity

Bio

Senior Advisor at the OECD Center for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities and Professor of Cultural Economics, IULM University Milan. He is also Senior Researcher at the metaLAB (at) Harvard and at the Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento. He has been Visiting Professor, Visiting Scholar and Faculty Associate at the Berkman-Klein Center for Internet and Society, Harvard University, and Special Adviser of the EU Commissioner to Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. He works and consults internationally in the fields.

Cristina Da Milano

President of ECCOM

Bio

She holds a degree in Archaeology (University of Rome) and a MA in Museum Studies (University of Leicester). President of ECCOM, since 1995 she carries out research projects, training activities and consultancy at national and international level and has been involved in several EU funded projects and studies with specific reference to cultural access, participation and audience development. She is an expert in European cultural policy and programmes. She lectures in many post-graduate courses and Masters and has been vice-president of Culture Action Europe, board member of Teatro di Roma and member of the Commission for the National Italian Museum System. She is currently a consultant for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Hasan Bakshi

Director of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre

Bio

Hasan Bakhshi is Professor of Economics of the Creative Industries at Newcastle University and Director of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, which is charged with improving the evidence base for policies to support the UK’s creative industries and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Prior to Newcastle University, Hasan held various roles as an economist at Nesta, Lehman Brothers, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Bank of England. In 2015, he was awarded an MBE for services to the creative industries. Hasan serves on the board of two arts organisations: Art UK and Darbar Arts.

Dylan McGarry

Co-founder of Empatheatre

Bio

Dr. Dylan McGarry is an educational sociologist and artist at the Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) at the University currently known as Rhodes, in South Africa. Dylan is the co-founder of Empatheatre and explores practice-based research into connective aesthetics, transgressive social learning, decolonisation, queer-eco pedagogy, immersive empathy and socio-ecological development in South Africa.

Eline Dewaele

Co-founder of Platform In De Maak

Bio

Eline Dewaele (Belgium, 1996) co-founded Platform In De Maak in 2019 with Barbara T’Jonck, Oihana Azpillaga and Zoë Demoustier and is responsible for its daily operation. She graduated in 2021 from a Masters in Theatre Studies and is since active in the Flemish performing arts field in multiple functions. She has worked as a tour manager for Platform-K and detheatermaker and as a business manager for Het Kwartier and various artists. She currently works for alternative distribution agency Vincent Company, enhancing the positioning and dispersal of individual (starting) artists in the performing arts.

Zoë Demoustier

Co-founder of Platform In De Maak

Bio

Zoë Demoustier (1995) is performer and choreographer. Zoë studied Mime at the Academy for Theatre and Dance in Amsterdam, Theatre Directing at The Royal Insitute for Theatre, Cinema and Sound in RITCS and Cutlural studies at KULeuven. Zoë is connected to the Belgian Compagny Ultima Vez as choreographer, resulting in the big-stage production What Remains, selected for the Belgian Theatre Festival. In the same year her production Choeur Battant/Beating Choir, a co-production between BRONKS (Brussel BE) and Le Carrousel (Quebec CA). Zoë is co-founder of Platform In De Maak, from the need of sharing and bringing starting makers together in a theater landscape in transition.

Picture copyright: Tom Herbots

Barbara T’Jonck

Co-founder of Platform In De Maak

Bio

Barbara T’Jonck is a performer, theatre maker and facilitator. She obtained a theatre degree at RITCS Brussels and a Master in Philosophy at KU Leuven. Besides her own practice, she has worked with, among others, LOD muziektheater, Beeldensmederij De Maan, Kunstenplatform Plan B and KVS Brussels. Barbara’s first solo antigone was shown at the KVS Brussels and last August 2023 her latest work T-2123, a sci-fi audio walk for the historic centre of Bruges and Concertgebouw Brugge, premiered at the Reiefestival. Recently she established her own theatre organisation forever stew together with dramaturge and writer Martha Balthazar and co-founded the artist-run organization Platform In De Maak in 2019.

Oihana Azpillaga

Co-founder of Platform In De Maak

Bio

Oihana Azpillaga (1997) is a Belgian cultural worker. She works as production manager for the Belgian Based Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen. She was also artistic assistant of the Belgian choreographer Zoë Demoustier for her latest piece What Remains.

She obtained a master’s degree in Cultural Management (UniAntwerp) and Cultural Sciences (VUB, Brussels). She was involved as a production collaborator for the ImPulsTanz Festival Vienna in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022. In 2019 she founded Platform In De Maak together with Barbara T’Jonck, Eline Dewaele and Zoë Demoustier. Together they take care of the day-to-day operation of the Platform.

Josean Urdangarin

Head of CCIs Unit. Department of Culture and Language Policy. Basque Government.

Bio

Josean Urdangarin works in the Direction of Cultural Promotion in the Basque Government’s Department of Culture and Language Policy. The holder of a degree in Basque Philology, he worked as a manager and head of Language Planning from 1989 to 2002, engaged in the fields of qualitative and quantitative research and areas related to status planning for the Basque language. Thereafter, he became involved in the work of drafting and developing cultural policies in Euskal Herria (Basque Culture Plan), coordinating both institutions and different sectors. At present, his fields of activity are related to Creadis3 project, as policy researcher and the definition of Cultural and Creative Industries Policies in the Basque Country.

Maria Tartari

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Bio

Maria Tartari is a Post-Doctoral Researcher with an expertise in Culture-based Innovation, with the pursuit of understanding and fostering bottom-up development and social justice in the cultural landscape. With her base in Milan, Italy, Maria Tartari currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher at ISPC-CNR, and collaborates with BACH Center, University Chieti-Pescara, where she has been actively involved in pioneering projects aimed at redefining the role of culture in generating impacts on social cohesion, mental health and democratic development. She is Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Arts and Tourism, IULM University, Milan.

Raquel Barata

Museum and well-being culture prescribing

Bio

Raquel Barata (arbarata@museus.ulisboa.pt) is graduated in Biology (Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, 1996) and PhD in Psychology (ISCTE-IUL, 2014). Head of Education at the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and coordinator of projects funded by European programs (H2020 and Erasmus +) on science education and on the promotion of mental health and wellbeing at museums and botanic gardens. Her research includes the evaluation of museum educational initiatives according to the Inquiry-based Science Education (IBSE) methodology, as well as the impact assessment of cultural prescribing initiatives. She is the author of scientific publications in the area of science education and communication, an accredited trainer, teacher of a post-graduate course on outdoor learning and supervisor of academic Master and PhD projects.

Itziar Redondo

Culture Promotion Directorate of the Department of Culture and Language Policy

Bio

Since 2000 working for the Basque Government in different areas and from different profiles: initially as technical assistance in computer projects for the Vice-Ministry of Language Policy in the field of machine translation and languages resources. Since 2010, into other areas related to Culture like the Basque Observatory of Culture or Basque Culture Kulturklik interactive platform as a policy officer. I am currently focused on Cultural and Creative Industries sector in the Culture Promotion Directorate of the Department of Culture and Language Policy.

TA2 – Innovation in CCIs sectors

Jenny Kornmacher

Coordinator

Developer of cultural and creative industries and international relations at Region Skåne

Bio

Former head of the Cross Innovation Hub at Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, Jenny Kornmacher is the Director of Action Programme 3 (AP3): Breakthrough Labs of the EIT Culture and Creativity. This AP will support creative and cultural stakeholders in finding and developing cross-domain breakthrough solutions for global challenges by applying emerging technological, non-technological and #social innovations. As an innovation expert, she drives the development of innovation programs and new formats. Her work focuses primarily on cross innovation processes. In this process, companies from various industries open up to work together with experts from the creative industries on ideas for innovative products and services.

Brian Afande

Co-founder and CEO of BlackRhino VR

Bio

I believe that future innovation ecosystems need to put the emphasis on the individual; the human, and the youth need to be the center piece. The youth in Africa need to be empowered by ensuring youth agency – _the active participation of young people in shaping their own destiny. I see myself as an agent of change accelerating the adoption of immersive technology tools in Africa by empowering young people to be the XR innovators and inventors of the future.

As a creative technologist, I leverage XR knowledge to expand opportunities for significant economic growth among the youth that will help them develop new ideas, technical skill sets, new business models and jobs that will contribute positively to overcoming our continent’s development challenges. As an early XR adopter, I hold a peculiar mission and vision of Designing, Democratizing, Demystifying and Deploying XR technologies in Africa.

Anne McKinnon

CEO and cofounder of Ristband

Bio

Anne is CEO and cofounder of Ristband, an-award winning platform using immersive and gaming technology to supercharge the music industry. Prior to Ristband, Anne worked as a strategist supporting emerging technology startups through growth and acquisition. As a journalist, Anne covers developments across technology and entertainment. Anne is a contributor to Forbes’ writer Charlie Fink’s book “Convergence” on 5G and AR. She is a sought after speaker, hosting global conference sessions and seminars related to topics across gaming, music, diversity, and culture.

Javier Pérez Contonente “Japi”

CEO of JetClay

Bio

Japi is a colorful architect who combines the different disciplines that have nurtured his training and professional experience. He has directed two short films, made several architectural works and currently moves through territories that explore the relationship between technology and design, understanding this relationship as a craft and eminently experimental act, developing and manufacturing his own work tools. As an example of the previous, he founded JetCLay in 2017, an open source platform that explores the world of 3d printing and ceramics, developing unique pieces at the crossroads among industrial design, architecture, interior design and sculpture.

Maria Duque

Resortecs’ Head of R&D for Disassembly

Bio

María Duque Fernández is Resortecs’ Head of R&D for Disassembly. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a master’s degree in Textile Engineering, María is responsible for the Smart Disassembly system – our thermal systems for automatic garment disassembly. María has extensive experience in polymer spinning and recyclability R&D projects. Prior to Resortecs she also worked in the safety and environmental departments of different companies in Spain and The Netherlands.

Lidia Contreras

Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, Autofabricantes

Bio

Lidia Contreras Ribera. Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist. Member of the Autofabricantes Association since 2017. Dedicated to direct care for pediatric and adult patients with functional diversity due to neurological pathology, the management of a therapeutic center and university teaching. I believe in the capacity of each and every person, regardless of their difficulties in accessing regulations, it is only necessary to find the solution adapted to each of them. I enjoy my work accompanying families in the search for solutions that allow them to improve their quality of life.

David Moreno

Chief Marketing Officer of Virtualware

Bio

Chief Marketing Officer of Virtualware (EPA: MLVIR), a global pioneer in developing virtual reality solutions for major industrial, educational, and healthcare conglomerates. With 17+ years of expertise in the industry, David is in charge of Virtualware’s corporate brand and its flagship product VIROO® Go To Market strategy. He is also responsible of managing and leveraging the strategic tech alliances of the company.

Gotzon Bernaola Ariño

General Coordinator of Business Innovation at the Basque Innovation Agency, Innobasque

Bio

Experience focuses on innovation and the implementation of innovative governance models in collaboration with territorial agents. Currently, his activity is focused on increasing the number of innovative SMEs in the Basque Country by activating listening and support processes for these SMEs and offering solutions adapted to their challenges and/or needs that add value, to reach the companies furthest from innovation. From Innobasque, he has collaborated with the Department of Culture and Linguistic Policy in the design and launch of the BDCC (Basque District of Culture and Creativity) and its deployment within the framework of the Smart Specialization Strategy of Euskadi (Euskadi Creativa as a territory of opportunity). Graduate in Mathematical Sciences, specializing in Probability and Statistics, master’s degree in international Trade and Business Management from the UPV and master’s degree in business training from the University-Business Institute.

Jorge García

Project Manager at Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Bio

Mr. Jorge García works as Project Manager at Tecnalia Research & Innovation where he manages projects in the field of digital cultures and digital social innovation. With an academic background in the field of Information Science and Human-Computer Interaction, his current interests focus on the intersection of technology and society as well as ethical issues and societal impact arising from the use of technology. He has been involved, both at research and managerial level, in many international collaborative research projects such as OPENMAKER, PLUS, T-FACTOR or URBANITE (all of them Horizon 2020) among others, currently he is also representing Tecnalia at the EIT KIC Culture and Creativity.

Alexandre Leforestier

CEO of Panodyssey

Bio

Alexandre Leforestier is a French entrepreneur in the field of culture and new media. He founded his own music label in 2001. In 2006, his label invented an original musical concept and sold 50 million Mozart records in one year, in the middle of the record crisis! In 2007, he launched Qobuz, the first HD music streaming platform. In 2018, he launched Panodyssey: the first trusted social media dedicated to creative writings. In 2022, Panodyssey launched the first European consortium to fight fake news and online harassment. In 2024, Panodyssey launched 2 new consortia dedicated to creativity, interoperability and AI in the media sector: CREA Trust AI and TEMS.

TA3 – CCIs Companies and Markets

Pascal Cools

Coordinator

Managing Director at Flanders DC

Bio

Pascal Cools is the managing director of Flanders District of Creativity. Flanders DC is the founder of the international Districts of Creativity network and has worked for 20 years on stimulating creativity and the creative industries in Flanders, Belgium. Today Flanders DC is focused on the two biggest creative sectors in Flanders: design and fashion. The non-profit organisation aims to enhance future proof entrepreneurship in design and fashion by giving advice & coaching, providing training & tools and offering inspiration and new insights to the sector. It also facilitates collaboration between the design community and other actors in economy & society to stimulate innovation.

Annemiek de Goey

Responsible for bookings, planning, internationalisation at Stichting Theatre Artemis

Bio

With a background in graphic design and marketing, Annemiek switched to the cultural sector in 1991. She started at the Stadsschouwburg in Eindhoven and, in order to be more involved with artistic processes, moved in 1996 to theater company Het Zuidelijk Toneel/ZT Hollandia. There she worked under the artistic direction of Ivo van Hove and Johan Simons, among others. In 2007 she joined Theater Artemis, first artistically directed by Floor Huygen and since 2013 by Jetse Batelaan. Having been mainly active in Marketing, bookings and graphic design, Annemiek’s position in 2018 has evolved into Planning, Bookings and Internationalization. She loves building, making something out of nothing.

Bas Sturm

Business and innovation consultant at VLAIO

Bio

Bas Sturm (1965) studied industrial design engineering at the University of Technology in Delft and marketing at the Open University in Rotterdam. After having worked as designer for DAF Trucks and GE Plastics in the Netherlands and M&E Design in Switzerland he was cofounder of the NLA Design in Belgium, which he left ten years later. He works for Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship – VLAIO since then, as business and innovation consultant and recently became co-responsible for the program support for innovative starters (ISS) which is focusing on young innovative startups.

Deena Ossama

The Culture for Development Lab

Bio

Deena has been juggling between education and management for more than 16 years. She has been working in formal, non-formal education spaces and with different communities around Egypt and the Arab world as a facilitator, Facilitators/Trainers/Teachers trainer & coach, curriculum designer and an educational manager. Drawing from the belief that adults need spaces where they can experiment, and lead their learning journey, she is currently exploring this question through her facilitation journey: how can social players at large unfold their own potential, to be able to support others unfolding their own? Deena is also an actor in a playback theater troupe in Egypt “Shaghaf” and is currently enrolled in a contemporary dance school.

Bruno de Zabala

Motmo.pro

Bio

Bruno has been related with music since he was fifteen years old, when he wanted to emulate “The Edge”, guitarist from U2. He started playing guitar but then he turned into bass guitar, and played as a professional musician in bands like Hesian, a famous band in the basque country. He developed and strong interest in music copyrights management, so in 2014 he founded motmo, now helping more than 250 music bands to get money out of their creations and founded motmo.pro in 2021 where the original artists teach how their songs should be played.

Stig Van Peer

COO at Winwinner

Bio

Stig Van Peer is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Winwinner, Belgium’s fastest-growing crowdlending platform. With a background in financial management, strategy and auditing at KPMG, Stig brings valuable experience to his role, overseeing operations and ensuring the platform’s continued success. Antwerp-based Stig is passionate about fintech and enjoys leveraging innovative solutions to drive growth and create value for both investors and entrepreneurs. Outside of work, he loves traveling and is an avid sports enthusiast: his knowledge extends to being able to easily name the latest 10 winners of the Tour de France as well as the FIFA World Cup soccer champions.

Külli Hansen

Head of Tartu Centre for Creative Industries and Tartu Film Fund

Bio

Külli Hansen is the Head of Tartu Centre for Creative Industries and Tartu Film Fund. As a creative entrepreneur, her mission is to support creative professionals on their entrepreneurial journey. Külli’s background as a creative professional, lecturer at a business school and cultural policy maker, as well as additional expertise as a business coach and supervisor, allow her to act as a bridge between creative professionals and various other parties. She values cooperation and believes in solutions that are born from collaboration.

Valeria Pica

Researcher at the BACH Center

Bio

Art historian and cultural professional, she awarded a Ph.D. in Museology and a Postdoc in Sociology of creative and cultural processes. She currently lives in Abruzzo where she has dedicated her work to the revitalization of marginalized centers through culture-led social innovation by initiating projects at a territorial level with public and private bodies. She is a member of the Faro Convention Network and collaborates with the Council of Europe for the implementation of the principles promoting the social value of arts. Since 2023 she has been collaborating with the BACH Center of the D’Annunzio University of Chieti Pescara.

Jokin Garatea

International manager at GAIA and coordinator of the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC)

Bio

He holds a Law Degree from the University of Deusto, Spain. He is an expert in International Trade from the University of the Basque Country and holds a degree in European Economics from the German-Spanish Institute, Germany. Implementer of business processes and best practices in companies. More than 27 years of experience in international projects at GAIA. Member of the board of the European network of living labs ENOLL.

Itziar Vidorreta

International project manager at GAIA and responsible for projects in the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC)

Bio

She is international project manager at GAIA (ICT Cluster of the Basque Country) since 2010. She is currently responsible for projects in the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC). Itziar holds a degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of the Basque Country and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Deusto. She has experience in coordinating international projects, as a promoter of business cooperation and market research.

Sandra Barrio

Responsible of services in the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC)

Bio

Sandra Barrio is responsible of services in the Basque District of Culture and Creativity (BDCC). She has a degree in Business Administration and Law (University of Deusto), a Master in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability (University of Salamanca) and Master in Cultural Management (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya). She currently combines her research work in the Doctorate Program in Business Management, Knowledge and Innovation at the University of the Basque Country studying the integration of sustainability as a strategic axis of universities with her work in the BDCC -Basque District of Culture and Creativity.

TA4 – Education and Research in CCIs

Dario Assante

Coordinator

Founder and Education Manager at Open to Learn

Bio

With a degree in architecture, an MBA and a Master’s Degree in e-Learning and Social Networks, Dario Assante dedicated all his professional life to the management of academic institutions belonging to the CCI sector, both in Higher Education and in Corporate Training. He has directed the IED Madrid, a design school belonging to an international educational network based in Italy, Spain and Brazil, leading a transdisciplinary team to develop innovative methodologies for face-to-face, blended and online courses in cultural and creative disciplines. He is a consultant for the creation of educational ecosystems in different universities in Spain and Italy and collaborates with de Madrid Designers Association (DIMAD) being the Executive Secretary for Education.

Esther Viñuela

Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Program at Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía

Bio

Esther Viñuela trained as a piano performer before completing a master’s degree in cultural management. Her experience has been developed both in academic institutions and in various sectors of the art industry, always with an educational, inclusive and transformative vocation. At the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía she coordinates, among other projects, the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Program. She is a project instructor for the Daniel & Nina Carasso Foundation and chairs the Lifelong Learning working group of the European Association of Conservatories whose objective is to train and advise professionals.

Lizett Samaniego

International project coordinator at the Stuttgart Media University’s Start-Up Center

Bio

Lizett has a background in Organizational Psychology, with her main area of expertise being the competency model framework. She worked for several years in Human Resources, where she was responsible for the entire recruiting process and internal customer management, which enabled her to work with different stakeholders and in multicultural contexts. Currently, as an international project coordinator at the Stuttgart Media University’s Start-Up Center, Lizett combines her expertise to foster global innovation and collaboration.

Ruth Mayoral

Responsible for the Higher Education Programs area at Euskampus Fundazioa

Bio

PhD in Sociology from the University of the Basque Country. She is mainly dedicated to the development and implementation of programs that promote transversal cooperation between agents and the transfer of knowledge between Higher Education and the social and economic fabric. She has been in charge of devising and managing various projects within the framework of the Smart Industry, Cultural and Creative Industries and Social Innovation. Among her current responsibilities, she coordinates the operations of the Basque Cluster of Engineering, Science and Technology and the Basque Cluster for Cultural and Creative Industries -training and research ecosystems- deploying projects for companies, public entities and universities in the contexts of the RIS3 priorities Advance Industry and Culture and Creative Industries.

Simon Kavanagh

Kaospilot

Bio

Born in Dublin, Simon studied Art and Design Education at NCAD. Already then, showing a passion for creating more meaningful & impactful learning. But, took a detour for the next 7 years as a creative director of a multimedia startup. and then as a learning consultant in the infancy of VOD & Content Management systems. With the bang of the dotbom in 2001, Simon left Ireland never to return. After 2 years Paris, feeding his passion for music & digital art, he move to Shanghai to lead and developed the BA faculty of Visual communication, until 2006, when he discovered Kaospilot. After 5 years as a team leader and head of studies, he cracked the KP pedagogical code, and open sourced it to the world.

Katrin Dircksen

Secretary-General of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU)

Bio

Katrin Dircksen is the Secretary-General of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) since 2011. She is in charge of the day-to-day management of the ECIU Foundation and supporting the ECIU Executive Board. She is responsible for the overall coordination of the ECIU Foundation activities, committees, and groups. In her position, she also supports the ECIU in the implementation of the ECIU University. Previously she was a research assistant at a Collaborative Research Centre on Symbolic Communication working on festivities in Mexico and Secretary-General of the Latin America Centre at the University of Muenster, Germany.

Amanda Brandellero

Head of the Arts and Culture Studies Department at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication

Bio

Amanda Brandellero is Head of the Arts and Culture Studies Department at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, where she is also Associate Professor in Culture and Creativity in Cities. In her role, she has developed a number of new courses and research tracks on sustainability transitions in the cities and the cultural and creative industries. She is Principal Investigator of the New European Bauhaus Lighthouse Demonstrator project Cultuur&Campus Putselaan, which pilots a sustainable hub for culture, learning and community in Rotterdam South.

Bartaku Vandeput

Biofilia – Aalto University

Bio

I am Bart HM Vandeput, artist and researcher inquiring the human condition through plants, microbes, light, energy and technology. Under the name Bartaku, in the fields of Bioart and intermedia art I interweave a manifold of entities, media, processes and disciplines in serious playful ways into installations, interventions, exhibitions, talks and lecturess. Currently I direct a collective inquiry into the microbiomes in cooling towers of nuclear facilities. In this context I am a postdoc researcher at the Centre for Bioethics at Antwerp University and enjoy visiting roles at Aalto, Ghent and Hasselt Universities’ physics and microbiology departments. I am a member and co-founder of several art collectives.

Lorena Vega

Project Officer at Euskampus Fundazioa

Bio

Lorena is a member of the Secretariat of KSIgune – Basque Higher Education and Research Cluster for Cultural and Creative Industries. She currently supports the delivery of its training, research and transfer programmes, the engagement and collaboration within its ecosystem, as well as the development of international programmes and alliances. With an academic background in Communications & Public Relations, Lorena is an experienced multilingual international practitioner, with increasing expertise in multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborative projects.

Dc Living Lab coordinators

Kaisu Tuominiemi

Lead of Admissions & Team Coach at Travelling U

Bio

Originally from Finland, based in the Basque Country, Kaisu is an educator and team coach with extensive experience in entrepreneurship and team development. She holds an MBA in educational leadership and has over 13 years of higher education experience, lately focusing on pedagogy for entrepreneurship in the arts. Part of her research on entrepreneurial pathways in art was published in “Artivate: A Journal of Entrepreneurship in the Arts.” She conducts collective learning and entrepreneurship processes across diverse, multicultural backgrounds. As a cooperative member at TZBZ-Travelling U, and within Mondragon Team Academy’s international network, she leads international training programs and student admissions locally and globally.

Global Challenges

Global Challenge 1

Andoni Hidalgo

EIT Climate KIC

Bio

Global Challenge 2

Jorge García

Project Manager at Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Bio

Sonia Bilbao

Global Challenge 3

Joseph Hurtado

EU Development and Business intelligence manager

Bio

Joseph is a British-Colombian polyglot, fluent in 5 languages, deeply convinced that innovation stems is about people and ideas. Skilled with proven experience in fostering connections and facilitating cross-sectoral collaborations in multicultural contexts, he holds dual master’s degrees in International Relations, Business Intelligence, and Management of International Development. Joseph works for a national French cluster dealing with Industry and Materials where he pioneers the setting and implementation of high-profile European Commission-funded projects around Cross-fertilisation, Circular Economy, Responsible Innovation and decarbonisation of hard to abate of industries.

Master of Ceremony

Maitena Salinas Beiztegi

Journalist, actress and communication mentor

Bio

Maitena Salinas Beiztegi is a journalist specialized in culture and human rights, actress and communication mentor. She teaches her mentoring method in different sectors such as STEM, as well as in the CCIs. She has been collaborating for more than 25 years in the field of culture and human rights education, as well as in start-up launching processes and public institutions (Basque Government, Provincial Councils, etc.) helping companies and organizations to create coherent communication both internally and externally, and promoting inclusive leadership.

Speakers

Organizers

Collaborators

Coordinator