Querdenkenquerdenken – Creative Thinking on Crazy Ideas

Starting point / motivation

In the 4th call of the research programme „Mobility of the Future", unconventional project ideas that did not come across within the framework of conventional calls were considered for the first time. As a matter of fact, research programmes have to consider a possible realisation as well as the implementation of project results, because this approach can assure benefit for society. Consequently projects with ideas, concepts, and approaches that do not follow the common path and that have high value in their newness but also with a high risk are not considered in the practice of the research funding.

Contents and goals

With the 4thcall's focus "Creative thinking on people's mobility", space for unconventional, application-oriented projects was created, so that projects with different ideas could bring important knowledge and/or extra benefit for the transport and mobility sciences by considering various scientific disciplines. Among the studies of this call focus, it was researched how to optimize this pilot initiative in future calls and how to evaluate its effect.

Methods

Within the context of the study „Querdenken quer denken" („Creative Thinking on Crazy Ideas"), a meta-analysis of national and international research funding instruments was carried out to which extent they give "space for creative thinking" and innovation and which conditions enable such space.

It was analysed whether and to what extent research funding programmes allows/supports interdisciplinary solutions, and how each single evaluation process and guideline can support this task.

Additionally projects which were designated eligible within the call focus (Creative thinking on person's mobility) were scientifically accompanied. In this context, each dimension such as

• financing/financial support,
• innovation,
• evaluation and its decision-making,
• sustainability,
• chances for implementation,
• transferability,
• etc.

were analysed. These projects were illustrated in form of a descriptive factsheet.

Through the entire process of this study, various information and communication channels were set up; This includes the funding agencies as well as the beneficiaries and the research community in which also experts from other disciplines than mobility could provide input, as far as their contribution was meaningful and desired for 7 mobility research.

The choice was based on theoretical consideration and optionally on available practice of other financial programs.

Results and Conclusions

As a result of this support study, a catalogue of proposals and measures based on a theoretical framework, proven with case studies, and validated by experts, towards optimal design and alignment of "rooms for Creative thinker" in the future, was worked out.

Furthermore measures and suggestions were formulated which indicate how the support of innovation and crazy ideas can be ideal-typically embedded in instruments, calls, and decision-making processes.

A.o.Univ.Prof. Günter Emberger - TU Wien – Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften

TU Wien – Institut für Verkehrswissenschaften
A.o.Univ.Prof. Günter Emberger
Tel.: +43 (1) 58801-23112
E-mail: guenter.emberger@tuwien.ac.at