Building an Innovation District: How OsloMet and Kristiania Are Shaping PunktOslo

An innovation district depends on relationships that take time and attention to develop. But how does a university build those connections while strengthening its own capacity to support innovation? Drawing on her experience at OsloMet, Karoline Aursland will discuss her involvement with PunktOslo alongside other external collaborations and the development of internal innovation support. For university engagement and innovation professionals, the conversation offers an opportunity to examine how partnerships are initiated, kept active and developed over time, and how internal support can help colleagues participate in external collaboration.

This Fireside Chat will focus on:

1. Explore the role of OsloMet and Kristiania in the development of PunktOslo.
2. Identify practical considerations when establishing, sustaining and developing external relationships.
3. Examine how internal innovation support can help university colleagues engage with external partners.
4. Consider how relationships beyond an innovation district might connect with it over time.

Karoline Aursland is a Senior Adviser in Research and Societal Impact at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University. Her work includes building the university’s internal innovation support system and establishing, sustaining and developing external relationships. She has participated in parts of OsloMet’s collaboration with PunktOslo and brings a perspective on how institutional innovation support connects with partnerships and the development of an urban innovation district.

A UIIN Fireside Chat is a 30-minute interview session between a UIIN facilitator and an external industry expert on a high-level topic. Participants will leave with insights and inspiration after hearing the experiences and perspectives of the guest speaker, and have the opportunity to ask questions during the session. Fireside Chats are also recorded for UIIN podcasts and are available after the session.