Meet Rhiannon Pugh – Senior lecturer
The programme in Innovation and Societal change is based on interdisciplinary research and teaching, with teachers from different disciplines across Lund University’s faculties. The teachers are all affiliated with CIRCLE – Centre for Innovation Research at Lund University. One of the teachers on the programme is Rhiannon Pugh.
Innovation and Societal Change
What sets this programme apart from other Master's programmes in the field?
"I would highlight three main things that sets this programme apart. Firstly, it is delivered by CIRCLE, one of the leading innovation research centres in Europe, which means students will benefit from 20 years at the cutting edge of research and practice around innovation issues. Secondly, the programme is truly interdisciplinary with courses and teachers from social sciences, economics, and engineering faculties so it provides a really unique mix of perspectives, topics, and approaches. Thirdly, the programme is designed in a very innovative and interactive manner with innovation labs, field visits, and different teaching approaches, which makes it stand apart from other Master’s programmes."
How does the programme meet the needs of the labour market?
"To work in the contemporary world, we need to be able to integrate innovation and sustainability into everything we do – otherwise we will not be able to solve the grand challenges around demography, climate change, inequalities etc. In taking a hands-on and interdisciplinary perspective to innovation, this programme helps students to think and act in innovative ways, finding real solutions to real-world problems. This programme equips candidates for careers in areas including research, NGOs, government, and consultancy."
Do you have any advice for anyone considering applying for the Master's programme in Innovation and Societal Change?
"My advice would be to simply jump in. We are striving to make an academically cutting-edge, practical and fun programme. Since it is an interdisciplinary programme, we are not expecting particular prior knowledge bases or disciplinary background so there is no need to be nervous – the main criteria are enthusiasm and curiosity!"
Rhiannon and her research
What is your academic background and how long have you been teaching at Lund University?
"I am a senior lecturer in innovation studies, and I have an academic background in human geography. I have been working at Lund University for 6 years. Prior to Lund, I worked at Örebro University and Uppsala University in Sweden, and at Lancaster University and Cardiff University in the UK. I originally studied geography at Cambridge University. Since I have moved between geography and innovation studies, I am quite used to working in the interdisciplinary mode, and I teach in the faculties of social sciences as well as engineering. I have also taught courses in business, management and economics."
What are you currently working on in terms of research projects?
"I am currently working on three main projects, and some smaller ones. One is funded by the Swedish Research Council FORMAS and investigates innovation in peripheral regions. Another is funded by The Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, and examines the issue of cross border regions. The third is funded by the innovation agency VINNOVA, and studies multi-level learning journeys for transformative regional development. Overall, I am very interested in innovation in the regional context, and in studying different kinds of regions and places outside of the core."
More information about Rhiannon’s research can be found in our research portal:
Associate professor Lea Fünfschilling
Learn more about this Master's and Lea's research.