WORKSHOP - The Innovation Compass: A FORTH Journey from Research to Impact – International PhD Workshop

As part of the conference programme, we propose a two-day interactive workshop entitled "The Innovation Compass: A FORTH Journey from Research to Impact", specifically designed for PhD students in Nursing and Health Sciences from the four partner universities. The workshop will be conducted in English over two consecutive days, with 2–2.5-hour sessions each day. The workshop is based on the FORTH Innovation Methodology (Full Steam Ahead, Observe & Learn, Raise Ideas, Test Ideas and Homecoming from Van Wulfen, https://www.forthinnovation.com/), an internationally recognised structured approach for identifying opportunities, generating innovative ideas, and transforming them into feasible research and development initiatives.

The workshop will be facilitated by the following experts:
- Dr. Attila Pandur, PhD (Director of the Health Sciences Human Patient Simulation Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs)
- Gabriella Drenda-Mattenheim MSc (Head of the Research and Project Support Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs)
- Dr. habil. Viktória Prémusz, PhD, RIM (Dean's Representative for Science, Head of the Doctoral Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs)

All facilitators have successfully completed the FORTH Innovation Workshop and Facilitator Training Programme at UP, where they were trained to apply the FORTH methodology in higher education, innovation management, and collaborative project development and already led the "Compass to the Future of Education” workshop for university lecturers.

Rather than focusing solely on research methodology, the workshop aims to develop participants' competencies in research innovation, strategic thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and future-oriented project development. Through guided exercises and collaborative activities, participants will learn how to identify emerging research opportunities, generate and refine innovative research concepts, evaluate their feasibility and impact, and align ideas with funding priorities and societal needs.
Participants will work in interdisciplinary international teams on a selection of predefined Innovation Missions. These may address different innovation perspectives, such as societal benefit, healthcare improvement or commercial potential, providing a realistic framework for moving from opportunity identification to an innovative project concept.

The programme will provide practical tools for:
- identifying future research opportunities through horizon scanning;
- generating and selecting innovative research ideas using the FORTH methodology;
- developing collaborative and interdisciplinary research concepts;
- strengthening strategic thinking for competitive research proposals;
- supporting innovation in nursing and health sciences research.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed preliminary concepts for innovative research projects while expanding their international professional network and fostering collaboration among the four partner universities. The workshop is intended to stimulate an innovation-oriented research mindset and support the development of future collaborative projects within the field of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Detailed workshop programme:
Day 1 (2–2.5 hours)
• Welcome and introduction
• Introduction to the FORTH Innovation Methodology
• Warm-up activities and formation of innovation teams
• Presentation and selection of predefined Innovation Missions (Innovation Assignments)
• Full Steam Ahead – identifying future trends and opportunities
• Observe & Learn – identifying research and user needs
• Raise Ideas – initial structured idea generation
• Reflection and preparation for Day 2

Day 2 (2–2.5 hours)
• Recap of Day 1
• Raise Ideas – finalisation and refinement of ideas
• Structured idea selection and concept development
• Developing research impact and feasibility
• Team pitch preparation
• Team pitches
• Feedback, reflection and closing discussion

Registration for the workshop is available through the PhD Conference registration platform under the “Workshop Registration” menu.