Ruusa Ligthart’s PhD that she defended in Spring 2022, focused on open innovation in services in both the private and public sector organisations. She did her PhD at the University of Cambridge, Institute of Manufacturing, Centre of Technology Management (CTM) under the supervision of Prof Tim Minshall. Ruusa’s PhD studies contributed to the research on innovation management in the public and private sector. Both open and service innovation, by providing framework for conceptualisation of open service innovation, it provides 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 her PhD she continued as a postdoctoral researcher /IfM visitor at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Service Alliance, and CTM. Her post doc studies focus on innovation management in the public sector organisations. Her postdoctoral studies are under the supervision of prof Mohamed Zaki and prof Tim Minshall.

Ruusa Ligthart also works as a senior lecturer in Finland Laurea University of Applied Science. She has extensive experience in teaching, supervising thesis as well as developing and executing RDI projects. Prior to her PhD studies she worked at the RDI unit at the Laurea University of Applied Sciences as both an education service product manager and a project manager. She was working with RDI projects together with various firms, 3rd sector, universities and other research organisations.

Ruusa holds a Master of Science degree with distinction from the University of Brighton, England from the international tourism management. She has worked in the field of hospitality and tourism management and in advisory positions in several countries.