{"id":14800,"date":"2024-07-04T12:17:48","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T10:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/fhse-en\/?post_type=news&p=14800"},"modified":"2024-08-08T10:23:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T08:23:20","slug":"lumi-sis-paves-the-way-for-research-spin-offs-with-societal-impact","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/fhse-en\/news\/lumi-sis-paves-the-way-for-research-spin-offs-with-societal-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"LUMI SIS paves the way for research spin-offs with societal impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Applying scientific knowledge to benefit vulnerable children, Uni.lu\u2019s pioneering societal impact spin-off Lumi aims to create meaningful change in education and child development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pascale Engel de Abreu<\/a>, Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Luxembourg, has always aimed for tangible impact. \u201cAs a trained child psychologist, I\u2019m driven by a desire to make meaningful changes in disadvantaged children\u2019s lives.\u201d In 2023, as a result of an FNR JUMP grant, she established Lumi<\/a> as a Societal Impact Company (\u201cSoci\u00e9t\u00e9 d\u2019Impact Societal\u201d – SIS) of public utility, dedicated to leveraging research for children\u2019s learning and development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur research team at Uni.lu studies cognitive development, particularly language acquisition, reading, and socioemotional development. Lumi aims to translate this research into practical solutions for real-world challenges,” explains Pascale Engel de Abreu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her team at the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences has developed several interventions, including an early literacy programme, rigorously tested <\/a>and recognised for innovation<\/a>. \u201cOur goal wasn’t just to publish scientific papers and win awards,\u201d Prof. Engel de Abreu emphasises. \u201cWe wanted to make a real impact for children. We identified a clear need for evidence-based interventions, including here in Luxembourg. Our goal was to bridge this science-to-practice gap.\u201d Their second FNR grant allowed them to develop an educational app.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, LUMI was founded to bring these innovations to children. However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. \u201cStart-ups require funding, and the obvious path was to establish a for-profit enterprise targeting a lucrative market. Yet our vision was to aid those most in need, not solely those who can afford it,\u201d explains Prof. Engel de Abreu.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discovering Luxembourg\u2019s unique Societal Impact Company<\/a> (SIS) model was pivotal. Their social impact project was recognised in the Touchbase programme by the Luxembourg Ministry of Labour. \u201cThis opportunity allowed us to refine our social impact vision, blending entrepreneurial skills with scientific expertise.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although this model is new, the University of Luxembourg has been supportive recently formalising a licensing agreement with LUMI SIS, marking a crucial step towards real-world application. Crucial backing from two foundations will enable them to offer their app for free to children most in need in the months ahead. “We firmly believe that publicly funded research should directly benefit the public,\u201d she concludes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her journey, she encourages women scientists: \u201cEntrepreneurship knows no bounds of gender, age, or discipline. Creating a spin-off as an academic isn’t just about innovation; it’s about transforming scientific ideas into practical solutions for society.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

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\n Group image: Left Ass. Prof. Pascale Engel de Abreu; right Dr. Carolina Nikaedo <\/p>\n <\/figure>\n\n\n

Copyright photos: Pascale Engel de Abreu <\/sub><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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