On December 4, 2024, ATHENA took a significant step to strengthen collaboration in the creative industries domain. Hosted by the VILNIUS TECH Creative Industries team, ATHENA alliance members gathered for a dynamic virtual event. This online meeting facilitated institutional and personal connections, laying the groundwork for collaborative educational, research, and professional development ventures. The primary aim of the event was to enhance ties across ATHENA’s partner institutions through the following objectives:
- Creating collaboration groups to foster the exchange of ideas and shared visions.
- Building foundations for joint initiatives, such as joint and double-degree study programs, research collaborations, BIPs, virtual mobility, and summer schools.
- Fostering thematic matchmaking and communication within groups to share information on events, research projects, and funding opportunities.
This event aligns with ATHENA’s overarching mission of academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact.
The event was structured around four thematic groups, each addressing critical areas for collaboration. Breakout sessions provided opportunities for matchmaking, in-depth discussions, and the design of new initiatives:
- Leadership Talks
This group explored collaboration among leaders of academic units and the leadership roles specific to creative industries within academia and the broader ecosystem of external stakeholders. - Co-design and Joint Education
Discussions focused on developing interdisciplinary joint and double-degree programs that align with global academic trends, meet professional needs, and bridge creative industries with other fields of education and research within ATHENA. - Research Collaboration
Opportunities for joint research were examined, including joint projects, publications, funding applications, and innovation-focused initiatives. - Staff Collaboration in Education
This group explored staff exchange programs, professional development workshops, COILs, and summer schools, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning through mobility opportunities and collaborative training.
The event concluded with each group presenting their findings and outlining proposals for future collaboration.
Building on the event’s momentum, ATHENA is setting the next steps to accelerate clustering in creative industries research, education, and impact initiatives, uniting ATHENA communities within this vibrant interdisciplinary domain. With new initiatives for action and a unified vision, the ATHENA Creative Industries Cluster aims to strengthen its impact within academic circles and the wider creative sector.
