Ruusa Ligthart completed her PhD in Spring 2022 at the University of Cambridge, Institute of Manufacturing, Centre of Technology Management (CTM) under the supervision of Prof Tim Minshall. Her research focused on open innovation in services in both the private and public sector organisations. Ruusa’s PhD studies contributed to the research on innovation management in the public and private sector. Her research provided a framework for conceptualisation of open service innovation, which can be used as a platform for further research and support practitioners in structuring the design of their innovation processes. In addition, her research identified specific features and differences in public and private sector organisations innovation management.

After completing her PhD, Ruusa Ligthart continued her research as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Service Alliance, and CTM. Her postdoctoral studies focused on innovation management in the public sector organisations. Currently, she is a research collaborator at IfM and a by-fellow at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College.

Ruusa Ligthart is a principal lecturer at Laurea University of Applied Science in Finland. In Laurea she is also the head of the joint master’s degree programme in Managing Digital Transformation in the Health Sector, which is funded by the European Union. This international online program draws upon innovative and interdisciplinary pedagogical and digital competencies developed and delivered in cooperation with European universities such as Universite Gustavé Eiffel Paris, France, Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessaloniki, Greece, and Instituto Unversitário de Lisboa, Portugal, a research center, and partnering healthcare and technology organizations. Ruusa has extensive experience in teaching, supervising thesis as well as developing and executing RDI projects.

Research Interests

Health Care

Innovation Management in the public and private sector organisations

Open Service Innovation

Service Innovation

Open Innovation

Organisational culture

Stakeholder collaboration

Customer centricity

Co-creation

Service design

Linkedin Ruusa Ligthart | LinkedIn