16 April from 16:00 – 20:00
La Casa Amarilla (artistic and cultural space) city center of Malaga
Watch a Video (To be replaced)
Objectives:
—To create a shared working space where researchers, artists, and citizens collaborate on equal terms around art, science, and society.
—To provide an open and informal setting that enables meaningful connections across disciplines and perspectives.
—To activate creativity through practical methodologies that support idea generation and new ways of thinking.
—To foster the formation of multidisciplinary teams and identify collaborations to be developed in the Rock It Labs.
—To involve citizens as active contributors in identifying challenges and co-creating ideas from a bottom-up perspective.
—To generate initial project ideas linking research, creativity, and real societal contexts.
—To capture insights and feedback to inform the next phases of the project.
—To identify profiles and practices with potential to evolve into collaborative projects within the Rock It Labs.
The II Rock It Café in Málaga was conceived as a working session within the Rock Your Research methodology, designed to move beyond discussion and into action. Hosted at La Casa Amarilla, the session connected people mainly through small-group dynamics, collaborative exercises, and informal conversations that generated throughout the session. The methodologies used encouraged participants to share experiences, discuss ideas, and work collectively around common interests and societal challenges. Participants discussed how creativity, culture, and participatory experiences could help stimulate people’s interest in science, learning, and collective reflection, especially among younger generations and audiences less connected to academic spaces.
Collaboration emerged progressively as participants identified connections between their different backgrounds and perspectives. Researchers, artists, citizens, and professionals from other fields contributed in different ways to the ideation process, combining knowledge, creativity, and personal experiences within multidisciplinary groups.
The ideation process was captured throughout the session using visual thinking tools, allowing participants to externalise and connect their ideas in a shared visual space. The session created a strong sense of openness and trust that revealed clear potential for future joint work beyond the activity itself.
Quotes that Stuck With Us
Ramón Rubio, CEO and co-founder of Latido (purpose-driven project focused on personal development):
“When different perspectives meet and ‘friction’ happens, that’s when new ideas really emerge.”
“This kind of multidisciplinary context is where ideas become richer, more open, and more meaningful.”
Sandra Lozano. Director and Instructor at ENMovimiento Cultural Centre:
“Being here has been a challenging and enriching experience, both in terms of creativity and the people I’ve met. Listening to different opinions has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience.”
“As an artist and cultural manager, it has been a reminder to keep that sense of wonder and to think outside the box.”
Alejandro Gil – Engineering Design student involved in research projects:
“At the beginning it was difficult because we were very different people, it took time to speak the same language, but that’s exactly what made the project work”.”
“I learned that what really matters is the process – how you structure ideas, solve problems, and build something together.”
Juan Salvador Aguilar – Designer and collaborator at UMA:
“Creativity arises when you try the least to be creative; you just need the right tools to open the door and let it in”.
“In these kinds of gatherings, even the smallest detail creates a connection between two people and fosters the flow of ideas and concepts in a unique way”.
Lidia Díaz – Predoctoral researcher. Graphic designer passionate about creativity and collaborative research processes:
“Rock It Café has been a space where ideas didn’t just appear — they were questioned, shaped, and gradually started to take form.”
“Throughout the session, there’s a conscious break from routine, creating space for creativity in a practical and shared way. Some of the dynamics can feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s exactly where you start connecting with the unknown and new ideas begin to emerge.”
Mateo García. Founder and CEO of Narita, creative studio:
“Collaborative dynamics train your perspective, your interpretation, and your ability to design experiences that truly connect.”
“Engaging in the dynamics helps you find answers and learn how to turn them into something that truly matters to people.”
Who Came, What Emerged
Around 45 participants took part in the session, bringing together a genuinely diverse mix of profiles. The group included 15-20 researchers : from PhD students to senior academics from different areas of the University of Málaga, alongside around 10-12 artists and cultural professionals, some linked to La Casa Amarilla and others connected to the local creative scene. They were joined by 10-15 citizens and professionals from outside academia, adding perspectives rooted in real-world contexts. Participants were reached through a combination of institutional channels , including a dedicated call from the Vice-Rectorate for Research, as well as cultural networks and open dissemination. This mix of profiles created a natural space for exchange, where different ways of thinking could meet and generate new ideas together.
The session created an open and informal setting where participants could engage, connect, and start working together from the very beginning. Through a guided session, participants explored common assumptions around creativity and were introduced to different ways of approaching it in practice. Working in small, multidisciplinary groups, participants began to explore connections between their interests, experiences, and societal challenges. This process led to the emergence of first project ideas and potential collaborations.
The session closed with an informal networking moment, allowing participants to continue conversations in a more relaxed setting, strengthen connections, and identify possible next steps towards the Rock It Labs.
