Our world is in a state of constant transformation due to political and economic globalisation, technological innovation, urbanisation, and vast social and ecological challenges. In the past twenty years, we have witnessed the emergence of socially engaged art, social design and community-driven creative practices. A great number of artists and designers are operating with an expanded notion of art and organising their creative practices beyond purely aesthetic functions. Social Transformation is centered on the transdisciplinary work with real-life cases in real-life environments including collaborations with the public and non-academic partners. Discovering and defining an own artistic practice is a key element of this theme. Also because the empowerment of both creative practice and practitioners encourages a lively, diverse and independent cultural scene which, in turn, strengthens civil society.

Summer schools and happenings have been developed in two focus areas: Socially Engaged Arts and Social Design.

Socially Engaged Arts centers on the idea of decolonial frameworks and positionalities. The artists/designers/researchers - group members and guests aim to engage in processes of 'un-learning' and destabilizing hierarchical ways of thinking and working to create a 'decolonised' space for artistic expression. Through their work, they hope to challenge traditional power structures and create a space for diverse voices to be heard and represented.

Social Design uses design thinking, design-methods and design-tools to tackle societal challenges as part of a common learning and creation process. It focuses on social innovation and -development at different level by building capacity offering solutions, fostering social-, technologic and economic empowerment.