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Community-driven innovation in a real-life context and collaboration between different stakeholders – these are powerful ingredients in the hands of Professor Marlien Herselman and the Living Labs research group at the CSIR’s Meraka Institute.
Living Labs is recognised internationally as a methodology and an innovation approach that works well in a multidisciplinary context in various settings, such as urban and rural environments.
It allows all stakeholders - government, society, industry and academia - to achieve their own goals and outcomes in support of a specific community. Users and citizens become active actors participants in experimentation and testing during projects, and not merely passive receivers of innovation. In fact, all parties stand to gain through equal partnerships in the process.
Herselman who is an adjunct professor at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), has headed this research group since she joined the Meraka institute in February 2009. Her vision is to pursue community ownership in innovation to achieve the greatest benefits for all involved. Her research focuses on information and communications technology for business enhancement, rural community informatics and e-health projects
The launch of LLiSA took place in February 2009
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The Living Labs research group plays an indispensable role locally and in the region. Herselman explains, “As hosts of the Living Labs in Southern Africa (LLiSA) network, we are responsible for collating and disseminating information. “The interest demonstrated by commercial entities, non government organisations and universities in the LLiSA at the launch event in February 2009 confirms that the Living Lab concept is seen as a winning recipe. The LLiSA board has representatives from industry, academia, communities, the Department of Science and Technology, local governments and southern African Living Labs who are members of the European Network of Living Labs, as well as the Cooperation Framework on Innovation Systems between Finland and South Africa (COFISA) and the South Africa-Finland Knowledge Partnership on ICT (SAFIPA).”
Herselman and her team will host a LLiSA conference on 23 and 24 November 2009. The conference will allow representatives of the various Living Labs in Southern Africa to share experiences and lessons learnt on innovation and intellectual property rights. Industry, academia, NGOs and local and provincial government are other players targeted to attend this event.
Each Living Lab has a key focus area. The oldest is the Siyakhula Living Lab at Dwesa/Cwebe and Nkwalini in the Eastern Cape, which has been in operation since 2001. Herselman confirms, “This is a good example of how this concept is flourishing in South Africa. The Siyakhula Living Lab is also a member of the European Network of Living Labs (EnoLL).” Another very successful Living Lab is the Reconstructed Living Lab in Athlone, which focuses on innovative projects to change communities at risk.
In addition to her role in research leadership, Herselman is co-supervisor for seven PhD and six Master’s students from the NMMU, North-West University and University of Pretoria.
With a double Master’s degree - in education and business information systems - to her name, Herselman also holds a PhD from the University of Pretoria, the topic of which was the use of computer games. She is currently busy with a funded research project on technology assessment models in rural communities in South Africa, funded by the National Research Foundation.
Her strong research record has been recognised locally and internationally. In 2000, she was awarded a scholarship of the Deutsche Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) of the International Women's University (IFU) to attend a summer semester at the University of Hamburg, in the project field of information. In 2005, she was named Women Researcher of the Year at Tshwane University of Technology. In 2006 she obtained National Research Foundation rating at level C3 in South Africa. She has already written over 40 accredited research articles and has 36 accredited conference contributions at international conferences.
Herselman enjoys nothing better than mountain biking when she is able to be out in the fresh air. She is the devoted mother of Arlene her 12-year-old daughter. Her husband, Philip, family and friends fulfil an important role in her life, and she ensures that she makes time for them.
CSIR Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Relations:
Biffy van Rooyen, email: BvRooyen@csir.co.za
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