How can promising future technologies be identified at a very early stage – and how does their relevance manifest in practice? This question is addressed in a recent publication by Marie Scheuffele, Niels Fetkenheuer, and Prof. Dr. Leo Brecht from the Liechtenstein Business School, published in the renowned International Journal of Innovation Management.

The study, titled “Introducing a Data-Driven Approach for Validating the Practical Relevance of Emerging Innovation Fields – Trend Insights on Technologies and Twin Transformation”, presents a data-based method for systematically analyzing early innovation fields. It combines two key data sources: academic literature and job postings from innovative companies. This comparison enables the researchers to bridge the gap between research and practice, providing early insights into important technology trends.

One key finding: Sustainability and digitalization are two of the three most important innovation fields in the coming years. The so-called “twin transformation” – the integration of ecological and digital development – is becoming increasingly relevant for companies.

The study was published in the prestigious Twin Transformation special issue of the International Journal of Innovation Management, which is recognized as a high-quality academic publication in the German-speaking world (VHB rating: B in Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship).

Scheuffele, M., Fetkenheuer, N., & Brecht, L. (2025). INTRODUCING A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH FOR VALIDATING THE PRACTICAL RELEVANCE OF EMERGING INNOVATION FIELDS - TREND INSIGHTS ON TECHNOLOGIES AND TWIN TRANSFORMATION. International Journal of Innovation Management, 29(05n06). https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919625400122

The "Day of Architecture" and the "Women in Architecture" Festival, which was organized throughout Germany for the first time, were celebrated on the last weekend in June. With 265 events, the festival aims to promote the debate on equality and diversity in building culture. Cornelia Faisst, university lecturer at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture, took part in the WIA Festival in Potsdam with the pop-up exhibition “Female African Architects”.

The project by Bauhaus Erde in cooperation with the German Color Center and the University of Liechtenstein presented the architecture of the Maasai women builders from Ololosokwan (Tanzania) and female perspectives on a regenerative, culturally rooted building practice in a pop-up exhibition. The exhibition offered an excerpt from the multi-award-winning exhibition at the Frauenmuseum Hittisau (Vorarlberg), curated by Cornelia Faisst as part of the earth HUB at the University of Liechtenstein. The focus was on the connection between architecture, culture and female creative power.

Against the impressive backdrop of the Serengeti's high plateaus, the exhibition highlighted the central role of Maasai women in building and maintaining their traditional dwellings. The focus was on female master builders from Ololosokwan in Tanzania and the huts (enkaji) they built, which provided rare insights into their craftsmanship and everyday life.

The exhibition saw itself as an architectural cultural approach to a largely unknown architectural tradition supported by women.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Principality of Liechtenstein's EEA membership, a discussion event was held at the University of Liechtenstein on July 1, 2025 on the topic of “In the field of tension between integration and sovereignty” from an administrative science perspective. Around 80 guests, including numerous representatives of the Liechtenstein national administration, took part.

Marco Lettenbichler, Assistant Professor at the Chair of Company, Foundation and Trust Law at the University of Liechtenstein, hosted the evening and the panel discussion. Head of Government Brigitte Haas opened the event with introductory words of welcome, highlighting in particular the importance of EEA membership for the Liechtenstein economy.

Lecture and discussion

The evening focused on a lecture by Jörg Röber, Professor of Administrative Management at Kehl University of Applied Sciences, on the topic of “30 years of Liechtenstein's EEA membership: opportunities and challenges of international and regional integration from an administrative perspective”. He addressed the issue of administrative capacity and underlined the efficient organization of Liechtenstein's national administration in terms of EEA membership. Jörg Röber, Andrea Entner-Koch, Head of the EEA Office, and Christian Frommelt, Rector of the University of Liechtenstein, then discussed the development and future of the EEA in Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein and the EEA

Andrea Entner-Koch gave the audience fascinating insights into her daily work with EEA legislation. Among other things, she showed how Liechtenstein can influence the development of EEA law through its participation in EU and EFTA committees. Christian Frommelt emphasized, among other things, that Liechtenstein cannot be described as an EEA model pupil. Rather, Liechtenstein acts very strategically. By implementing EEA law correctly and on time, Liechtenstein gains the trust of the EFTA institutions and the EU. In turn, Liechtenstein uses this trust to negotiate selective exemptions from the implementation of EEA law. As a result, Liechtenstein has a high transposition rate, but by far the most exemptions of all EEA states.

Direct democracy and EEA legislation

In the final round, the panel discussed the role of direct democratic elements in EEA legislation. Formally, direct democracy has not been restricted by EEA membership, as a referendum can be held both against the incorporation of an EU legal act into the EEA Agreement and against the implementation of an EEA law into a national law. To date, however, no referendum has ever been held against the incorporation of an EU legal act into the EEA Agreement. In the opinion of the panel, this also underlines the high level of political and public support for the EEA - a fact that facilitates the administration of EEA membership.

The concluding reception provided an opportunity for exchange and networking.

In January 2025, Antonia Trager, a student assistant and Master's student at the University of Liechtenstein, delivered a guest lecture at Bauhaus-University Weimar. The invitation was extended as part of the university-wide lecture series Tomorrow’s Menu, organised by horizonte.

In her dual role, Antonia Trager spoke on behalf of the company Lehm Ton Erde as well as the earth HUB at the University of Liechtenstein. Her lecture focused on the philosophy and sustainable possibilities of earthen construction—particularly the material clay casein.

The event attracted great interest: both the lecture and the subsequent workshop were fully booked. Participants had the opportunity to experiment with the material themselves and engage in an in-depth exploration of the properties and applications of sustainable building materials.

The company Lehm Ton Erde was founded by Martin Rauch, who has been combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative technologies in earthen construction for over 30 years. His main focus is on rammed earth techniques, which enable resource-efficient building with a high standard of design quality. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to this field, Martin Rauch was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Liechtenstein in 2023.

Through this guest lecture and workshop, an important contribution was made to the discussion on sustainable building, fostering an exciting exchange between research, practice, and education.

On February 20, 2025, another "Architecture by Dessert" event took place at the Liechtenstein School of Architecture. Atelier Auf’strich, represented by our alumnae Franziska Möhrle and Valerie Rainer, captivated students with fascinating insights into their creative projects and innovative approaches to rethinking the built environment.

The two architects shared their perspectives on spatial development processes and their fresh approach to architecture, bringing new ideas to the discipline. Participants had the opportunity to learn about their concepts and be inspired by their passion for new design possibilities.

Another highlight of the event was the homemade cake by Kirsten Steinhofer. Additionally, two hand-crafted Auf’strich mugs were raffled among the attendees.

The Liechtenstein School of Architecture sincerely thanks Franziska Möhrle and Valerie Rainer for their inspiring contribution, as well as all students for their participation.

The next Architecture by Dessert will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, where Postdoc Wolfgang Schwarzmann will provide insights into his work.

The University of Liechtenstein's symposium on "The Future of Lifelong Learning" held Monday evening, has been perceived as a success by attendees and organizers alike. The event brought together educational experts and community members to explore recent approaches to lifelong learning and recognition of prior learning (RPL).

The symposium featured a lineup of internationally renowned speakers who shared their insights with an audience of over 50 participants. Serge Ravet, President of Reconnaître—Open Recognition Alliance, shed light on how digital technologies are revolutionizing open recognition practices and learning across traditional boundaries.

Deb Carr, an expert in Technical Vocational Education and Training policy, provided compelling case studies from around the world, demonstrating how RPL frameworks are transforming educational systems globally. Her presentation resonated particularly with industry professionals seeking to bridge education-employment gaps.

Professor Patrick Werquin from CNAM Paris rounded out the expert panel with a thought-provoking analysis of how micro-credentials and national qualifications frameworks are responding to continuously changing workforce demands.

"The turnout exceeded our expectations," said Dr. Michael Gau and Gregor Kipping, scientists at the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science and organizer of the event. "The diverse audience—from university students to corporate leaders to educators in the VET sector—demonstrates the widespread interest in rethinking how we approach learning throughout our lives."

The symposium's interactive discussion session sparked conversations about implementing these innovative approaches within Liechtenstein's educational landscape. This symposium represents an important step toward embracing new paradigms in lifelong learning and recognition of skills that will benefit both individuals and the broader economy.