Teaching Human-Centred Innovation
-Helping students engage with real-world challenges and develop solutions that create value for people and society
Quick facts
|
|
Contact
Kirsten From Educational Developer Centre for Teaching and Learning in Engineering Education kifr@dtu.dk
Course content
As geopolitical, technological, economic, and environmental conditions continue to shift, university teachers must consider how to equip graduates to navigate uncertainty, exercise sound judgement, and contribute responsibly to the future of people, society, and planet.
Human-Centred Innovation is especially valuable in this regard because it requires students to listen to people, understand context, and make thoughtful decisions in situations where the path forward is not fully clear - before they begin designing technical solutions.
For students in engineering and STEM, this adds a meaningful but often unfamiliar dimension to their education. Teachers therefore need to be prepared to support students through the process and help them engage with it and learn from it.
This course prepares academic teaching staff to support students in building the mindset and competencies needed to take on such challenges and develop innovative solutions for people, society, and planet.
Is this course for you?
This course is primarily for academics
- in engineering education, STEM education, or related fields
- employed at European universities
- who expect to teach innovation-related content within 6 months after the course
Examples include lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors.
Please note: Places are limited, and participation is application-based. Priority will be given to applicants who match the course profile most closely.
What to expect
A central feature of the course is a team-based, learning-by-doing innovation process similar to the one students would experience. By working through the process themselves, participants gain first-hand insight into how students encounter uncertainty, collaboration, and decision-making.
These experiences form the basis for discussion, reflection, and the creation of each participant’s own ‘how-to manual’ for innovation teaching, including reflections about the teacher role, and thoughts about how to develop it further.
To support this work, participants complete a preparatory online module before the on-site course begins.
Course content
Participants will:
- explore the concept of Human-Centred Innovation
- work with the Double Diamond innovation process
- examine student-centred learning and its role in innovation teaching at university level
- discuss opportunities and challenges in innovation teaching, including student development, teamwork, and creativity
- create their own manual for innovation teaching based on course experience, discussion, and reflection
Format
The course includes:
- individual preparation through an online module
- teamwork
- plenary presentations and discussions
- individual reflective writing
- submission of reflections and assignment
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain the concept of Human-Centred Innovation and the Double Diamond innovation process, including its phases, methods, and techniques
- Define and explain student-centred learning and its application in project-based innovation courses
- Critically examine personal experiences from an innovation process and discuss implications for teaching and learning
- Identify key pedagogical insights from the course and formulate recommendations for facilitating students’ innovation processes in their own future teaching.
- Critically evaluate what they have learned in the course about their own teaching role, competencies, and mindset, throughout the course, and identify key areas for growth, and further development
- Present key takeaways from the course in written and oral form, clearly demonstrating insights and reflections on students’ learning, innovation as a subject, their own teaching role, and strategies for future practice
Preparation: online module
Because the schedule of the on-site course is intensive, participants are expected to complete a preparatory online module in advance.
The module includes:
- videos and materials introducing key concepts, methods, and techniques
- questions for reflection
- a number of short reflective tasks
- a slightly longer reflection at the end of the module
Release schedule
Materials will be released gradually over the summer:
- First release / course site opens: 25 June
- Further releases: mid-July, early August, and mid-August
- Completion deadline (including submissions): 25 August 2026
A detailed schedule will be available on the course site when it opens.
Requirements for successful completion
To complete the course and receive a certificate of completion, participants must:
- complete the online module, including reflections, and submit the required assignment by the deadline
- be present and participate actively in the full on-site course
- submit reflections during the on-site course and upload their how-to manual for innovation teaching by the end of the course
Course fee
The course is offered as part of the COPILOT project and funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EU). The course fee is fully covered. Travel costs are not covered and must be arranged by participants. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Other meals are not included.
Travel grants
Participants may be eligible for travel grants through Erasmus+ or other programmes. Please contact the international or Erasmus+ office at your home institution for further information.
Dates and location
Dates: 28 September - 1 October 2026
Daily schedule
- Monday, 28 September: 09:00-17:00
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Location
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Lyngby Campus
2800 Kgs. Lyngby
Denmark
FAQ - frequently asked questions
You can find our FAQ on this page.
Application
Places are limited and participation is application-based. Priority will be given to applicants who match the course profile most closely.
Applicants will be asked to submit:
- full name
- current title / role
- place and country of work
- Work email and phone number
- teaching responsibilities
- a short motivation statement of 150–200 words
Applications can be submitted via MS Forms at the bottom of this page.
Application window
- Opens: 27 april 2026
- Closes: 7 June 2026
Provisional places
Selected participants will be offered a provisional place between 8 and 12 June.
Places remain provisional until participants have completed the online module by 25 August 2026.
Go to application form
Click here to go to the application form
Questions?
Check out the frequently asked questions:
FAQ
How to apply?
You can find information and link to the application form at the bottom of the page.