Profiles of the month: Katarina Scott and Birgitta Persson

Katarina Scott is a trained economist and project manager with a rich background in the cultural and creative sectors and sustainability initiatives across various settings, including private, municipal, institutional, educational, NGO, and entrepreneurial environments. She has managed an innovation fund dedicated to the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCSI) and led an incubator, while also handling cultural grants, events, and applications for the European Capital of Culture designation. At Future by Lund, Katarina Scott develops innovation portfolio methods and has contributed to creating the LIEPT model, designed to monitor changes and foster growth within ecosystems.

“I believe that this mix of experiences has helped me understand different aspects, challenges, and opportunities. The innovation field is complex, and it’s not just about what we do but equally about how we do it”, Katarina Scott says.

Birgitta Persson has been active in the cultural and creative sector since 1994. She has an extensive professional background, having served as Secretary General of Trans Europe Halles (TEH) for 12 years, a role that has provided her with a vast international network and a sensitivity to cultural differences.

“With substantial experience in leading and implementing European projects, I am well-versed in navigating dynamic and international collaborations. ekip is though on another level in its scope and ambition. You need to understand both innovation policies and the CCSIs and discern what makes a difference on local, regional, national and international level”, Birgitta Persson says.

City ecosystems

Katarina Scott and Birgitta Persson focus on developing and conducting assessments within city ecosystems.

“It’s about testing what works and gaining a clear understanding of context and goals. Cities operate at the local level where a lot of the essential work happens. They’re also where much of the funding, organization, and operation of innovation and cultural ecosystems take place”, says Katarina Scott.

Birgitta Persson appreciates working with the cities and universities within ekip:

“We have an amazing assessment team with CIKE, Rotterdam, Saint-Etienne, HUMAK, and TU Delft. Katarina and I have dedicated much of the first year to developing and refining a method and process for conducting policy assessments within city ecosystems with the help of the team. It has been rewarding to see this being realized so far in the cities of Kosice, Bratislava and Lund.”.

What is the challenge with your work?

“Building the road as we travel on it. It’s challenging but also exciting”. 

Create real impact

The Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCSI) are diverse, incorporating private, public, and NGO organizations—most of which are small-scale and ecosystem-driven. To create real impact, you need to involve this level and integrate policies, innovation, and development initiatives directly into that context.

“To do this we have adapted a portfolio canvas along with the LIEPT model, typically used in innovation ecosystems, to work within the CCSI and policy spheres. This adaptation allows us to tailor our approach to support innovation and policy development effectively in these contexts”, Katarina Scott says.

The challenge lies in achieving inclusivity and making something complex both simple and usable, without leaving out critical elements. To drive change, others need to be willing to take part—no one can be forced unless there’s legislation in place.

“But the CCSI sector is resilient and creative, so if we can create clarity and understanding, the impact will follow”, Katarina Scott explains.

She can see a shift towards resilience and the robustness of society, especially given the state of the world today.

“We need to incorporate this focus and the need of keeping things together as part of the broader civic society development. Complexity will be even larger and CCSI innovation will be needed even more”.