Service Design for Innovation (SDIN) is a European Training Network that aims to integrate service design and service innovation approaches that are now dispersed into an innovative research training framework; doing so leverages the creative power of service design to foster innovation.

Specific objectives are:

• creating a mass of researchers who can drive widespread application of service design to leapfrog innovation in European organisations
• developing interdisciplinary competences in the key SDIN area and in key service sectors -ICT, public services and utilities

SDIN training programme comprises:

• individual research projects with interdisciplinary supervision (design and management) and non-academic involvement; substantial non-academic training
• development of competences in at least one key service sector, with exposure to other sectors
• network wide training with innovative courses, workshops, transferable skills training, and network wide training events.

Academic beneficiaries, with unique combination of expertise, provide a rich training experience and research competences in service design and service innovation. The three non-academic beneficiaries are innovation leaders in ICT, public services and utilities, providing a rich ground for application of SDIN results to multiple sectors.

SDIN will have significant impacts on ESRs, partners, and the pursuit of the Innovation Union: SDIN will develop interdisciplinary and multi sectorial competences in ESRs, which are highly valued and have a strong innovation impact on organisations. Beneficiaries will integrate their expertise to build enduring interdisciplinary and multi-sector competences.

SDIN’s extensive dissemination will ensure that the results achieved are shared with wider communities, thus producing spill over effects to other sectors. SDIN can make a significant and timely contribution to the Innovation Union strategy.