Critical Thinking in Media, Art, and Culture

This year’s E³UDRES² Intensive I Living Lab was held from 15 to 19 September 2025 at the St. Pölten UAS. Students from all over Europe formed international teams to come up with creative solutions to current challenges – from fake news to online bullying. The challenges posed to the students were contributed by various regional organisations. The outcome – fresh ideas, improved critical thinking, and international networking.

Solutions to Current Challenges in Media, Art, and Society

How can we teach sensitive topics and spark critical thinking instead of fuelling passive consumerism? How can we combine creative freedom with social responsibility? These and other questions will be posed to students of the Intensive I Living Lab of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², which is led by the St. Pölten UAS. The format was held as an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) at the St. Pölten UAS. Titled “From Art to Extreme: Unmasking Harm in Creative Industries”, the BIP challenged international student teams to develop solutions to current problems in media, culture, and society.

“The European University Alliance E³UDRES² connects higher education institutions from nine countries. Formats such as the Intensive I Living Lab bring about innovative ideas and concrete solutions – not only for science and teaching but also for companies, administration, and the society in our region. This allows us to make substantial contributions to making our “Smart & Sustainable European Regions” future-proof. The students experience intercultural thinking and European collaboration in action”, highlights UAS Executive Director Hannes Raffaseder, who is also the leader of the European University Alliance E³UDRES².

Interdisciplinary Teams for Real-Life Challenges

This event of a week put the spotlight on the topic of “Critical Thinking”. Roughly 100 students of the master degree programmes Digital Design, Digital Media Production, Interactive Technologies, and Digital Media Management, and around 30 students from the E³UDRES² partner countries formed interdisciplinary groups to work on hands-on assignments contributed by regional institutions and companies.

Challenges: From the St. Pölten City Museum to HTL Waidhofen/Ybbs

The St. Pölten City Museum posed the questions of how to present sensitive content in a way that encourages active reflection instead of being an object of consumerism. Commit.at challenged the students to work on the tension between creative freedom in streaming and the responsibility to remain objective, ethical and empathetic. “Was Bisher Geschah” contributed a current challenge: How can we help people to adopt a critical attitude towards digital content and debunk fake news or propaganda? The college of engineering HTL Waidhofen/Ybbs had a challenge focused on adolescents – aiming to strengthen their media competencies and help them better identify negative impacts of social media such as bullying or dangerous trends.

“The Intensive I Living Lab demonstrated the sheer force that can emerge if international perspectives and scientific expertise meet creative ideas. Our students grow beyond their limits, and develop solutions that also bring value to our region”, says Franz Fidler, head of the Faculty of Engineering and Business at the St. Pölten UAS.

Engaging in Exchange with the City’s Politics and Culture

The programme was complemented by a city tour of Vienna and St. Pölten, and an exclusive visit to the town hall of St. Pölten.

“The international exchange between young people is a driver of innovation. Having St. Pölten host this international hub for ideas demonstrates the city’s importance as a location for education and culture”, rejoices Deputy Mayor Michael Kögl when commenting on the students’ visit.

Mayor Matthias Stadler also welcomes this international exchange format: “As the leader of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², the St. Pölten UAS adopts a pioneering role in actively shaping the European higher education area. This commitment connects talented young people with a thirst for knowledge, and advances teaching, research and innovation.”

© Josef Vorlaufer

About the E³UDRES² Intensive I Living Lab

The Intensive I Living Lab is a format by the European Higher Education Alliance E³UDRES², led by the St. Pölten UAS. It brings together students, lecturers, and external partners from various European countries to work on real-life problems together and develop sustainable solutions for the region.

The format was developed in collaboration with the Department of Media and Digital Technologies, the Service and Competence Centre for Teaching/Learning Development and Educational Offers (LEARN) and the St. Pölten UAS’ International Office.

The Blended Intensive Programme was co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme.