Topic outline

  • General Introduction

    Change is accelerating, and we need flexibility and the capacity to learn new skills and approaches. Creative work skills and multidisciplinary problem-solving have become important competencies to foresee and tackle future scenarios. The Radical Creativity summer course is Aalto University’s brand new offer to students at the graduate level. In this course, students actively explore and experiment with innovative methods of working towards a more sustainable future. At the same time, it serves as a platform to explore the concept of "radical creativity", which despite sounding daunting at first, brings in an inspiring opportunity to update students' knowledge, co-create with Finnish organisations, and collaborate in an interdisciplinary group.

    During the two intensive weeks, students explore radical creativity, one of Aalto University' strategic approaches, through multidisciplinary teamwork on real-life company cases. Using a hands-on and challenge-based learning, students will make use of various tools and methods to investigate real-world business scenarios to generate tangible impact. The course presents opportunities to experience and experiment with systemic approaches to radical creativity. By doing so, it allows for reimagining the future of the partner industries involved. We aim to foster learning journeys that encompass insightful discussions, multidisciplinary collaboration and ways to engage with pressing challenges at the organizational and professional level.


    After the course, students will be able to

    • recognize emerging trends and ways of approaching radical creativity in different sectors 
    • assess differences between creativity and radical creativity and identify their enablers and barriers
    • utilize radical creativity tools and methods to plan future-forward development in different industries 
    • work constructively in interdisciplinary teams

    Note that this is an Aalto Summer School course, requiring application through the summer school portal. The course uses Slack as the course environment - enrolled students have received an invitation to join the space.


    Questions? Get in touch with Dr Vikki Eriksson (vikki.eriksson@aalto.fi), MSc Floris van der Marel (floris.vandermarel@aalto.fi) or prof. Tua Björklund (tua.bjorklund@aalto.fi).