Promotion of local development and innovation by a social sciences and humanities based university: the case of the University of Macerata

Abstract

Phenomena associated with globalization, the spread of the knowledge economy and the challenges of sustainable development are all contributing to redefining the role of the university. In addition to the traditional first and second missions of education and research, universities have been taking on a third mission to bring socio-economic benefits to the local and national economy through technology transfer. The first part of this study briefly outlines the theoretical framework of the third mission and the emerging function of co-creation of initiatives to support social sustainability. Next, the study describes the approach adopted by the University of Macerata (UniMC), a university focused on Social Sciences and Humanities (SSHs). Since 2013, UniMC has undertaken specific actions to boost entrepreneurship through a humanistic approach towards local development. This paper describes six initiatives out of the many that UniMC has established: the Office for the Valorisation of Research - ILO and Placement; CreaHUB; LUCI, Laboratory for Humanism, Creativity and Innovation; IMpresa INaula; Mangia Locale; and #SMARTMARCA.

Universities and Regional Engagement

“…UNIMC has today five departments: it is the only Italian university exclusively focused on Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities. Accordingly, its motto is "Innovation through Humanities": through a humanistic approach, it finds innovative interdisciplinary solutions for social and economic challenges (Compagnucci et al, 2018). In the AY 2017/2018, 10,083 students enrolled at UNIMC, 438 of them were international (USTAT, 2018).…”

“…UNIMC has coordinated or been involved in a wide range of European projects at the international level, also related to agriculture, food and wine, and tourism (Compagnucci et al, 2018).…”