Course Overview
Research methodologies in the social sciences represent a constant challenge in different fields. At the same time, very few spaces are provided for discussion and creation of methodologies more suitable for young students and current debates. The main focus of this seminar is the comprehension of different research methods in social science through experience. But also to foster common reflections about innovative research methods in an interdisciplinary environment. This seminar gives the
opportunity to students to learn relevant research methodology and work in laboratory teams for the creation of new methodologies to approach own research questions.
The first part of the seminar will focus on acquiring the fundamentals of scientific work in a condensed form, but exploring creativity and critical thinking with examples and working groups. Understanding the arguments of different authors, conducting
bibliographical research, as well as the methodological aspects of preparing the presentation are key to this summer school seminar.
The second part of the seminar addresses the importance of social innovation as a key driver of social change and enables participants to understand the key concepts of social innovation and its fields of application. While delving into the emergence, application and scaling up of social innovations, emphasis will also be placed on working through interactive case studies.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:
 identify research problems
 transform research problems into research questions
 make systematic decisions to select methodology
 learn skills in making a presentation of a research idea
 select and explain the research design that underpins a research idea
 reflect on critical perspectives of innovation
 learn concepts of social innovation
 apply critical thinking in innovation in different policy fields

Course Content
This course consists of two pillars. Pillar 1 will provide the basics of research methods, in order to learn and train how to develop research problems into research questions, but also how to design and present a good research project. Pillar 2 will provide the
theoretical and empirical foundations of innovation research, with the history of the innovation concept and critical perspectives. Finally, empirical cases of innovation and social innovation will be presented and discussed with students in order to develop innovative and critical thinking to contribute for new social practices for today's social challenges.

Part 1: Research Methods Lab (4 days)
o Relationships between theory and research
o Research questions and research design
o Methods and data collection
o Case studies
o Analysis and Coding
o Presentation of own research project
Part 2: Theoretical approaches and fields of social change and innovation research (6 days)
o History of the concept of innovation I: Basic concepts
o Critical perspectives on innovation
o Social change and transformation
o Social innovation: Field of action education
o Social innovation: climate change and sustainability field of action

Instructional Method
This course will be delivered through lectures and working groups. In part 2 of this course, each session will posse guiding questions to work with the bibliography and provide examples. Finally, presentations will be scheduled according to topics.

Required Course Materials
 Required readings will be provided in digital format
 Moodle will be used as an online platform to provide readings and information

Assessment
The evaluation of this course will be done by means of a presentation. Students will be able to choose a research topic based on the second part of this course. This part will account for 100% of the grade. There will be a written exercise beforehand with feedback from the lecturer to give the opportunity to include this feedback before the final presentation.