TY - JOUR AU1 - Leal Filho, Walter AU2 - Ozuyar, Pinar Gokcin AU3 - Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta AU4 - Azul, Anabela Marisa AU5 - Alvarez, MarĂ­a Garcia AU6 - da Silva Neiva, Samara AU7 - Salvia, Amanda Lange AU8 - Borsari, Bruno AU9 - Danila, Andreea AU1 - Vasconcelos, Claudio Ruy AB - This paper reports on a comprehensive study, which has investigated the approaches, methods and tools being deployed in implementing living labs among higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world. Two methods were employed. First, a bibliometric analysis of the current emphasis given to living labs in a sustainable development context and in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, an empirical study aimed at identifying the use levels of living labs at HEIs. This was accomplished through an analysis of selected case studies that showcased successful approaches to SDGs implementation with living labs, and resulted in a framework for action. There are three main findings from these analyses. The first is that the multidisciplinary character of living labs in the context of sustainable development needs to be considered, to maximize their impacts. Second, most of the studied living labs focus on SDGs 4 and 11, which deal with providing quality education and ensuring the sustainable development of cities and communities. Third, the challenges encountered in the implementation of living labs refer to (1) the complexities in institutional administration, (2) the tensions between different groups of interest that need to be addressed by enhanced communication, and (3) the necessity to pay attention to the demand of using sustainability and innovation as a strategy in the operations of living labs. The paper draws from the experiences and lessons learned and suggests specific measures, which will improve the use of living labs as more systemic tools towards the implementation of the SDGs. TI - Living labs in the context of the UN sustainable development goals: state of the art JF - Sustainability Science DO - 10.1007/s11625-022-01240-w DA - 2023-05-01 UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/living-labs-in-the-context-of-the-un-sustainable-development-goals-trRT0fZCb9 SP - 1163 EP - 1179 VL - 18 IS - 3 DP - DeepDyve ER -