UGA Manufacturing Living Labs
About Us
Living labs are dynamic innovation ecosystems that foster collaboration among citizens, businesses, research institutions, and governments. By leveraging real-life settings and ongoing feedback, living labs prioritize co-creation and rapid prototyping to develop sustainable solutions, delivering shared value to all participants while facilitating transformative change and up-scaling innovations.
University of Georgia Manufacturing Living Labs (UGA MLL) are comprised of university students and faculty, local and regional communities, K-12 schools, industry partners, and international collaborators. We embody a collaborative and experimental approach to innovation in manufacturing, aiming to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and practices that can drive industry competitiveness and sustainability.
We bridge the gaps between theoretical research and practical application, paving the way for transformative advancements in the manufacturing sector. As a dynamic and collaborative environment aimed at improving manufacturing processes and outcomes, we are founded on three core pillars: research, education, and engagement. Click any of the tiles below to learn more.
Our Partners
Our industry and research partnerships are core focuses of Manufacturing Living Labs. If you’d like to learn more about what a partnership entails, you can visit our Engagement page or our Research page.
Latest News & Events
National Manufacturing Day 2026 Recap
Oct 7, 2026
Thank you for helping make 2026's UGA Manufacturing Day a success! The event showcased interactive lab tours and industry exhibitor tables, and also featured speakers from the manufacturing industry including a keynote by Price Industries COO, Aaron Shoonbaert.
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Agenda: National Manufacturing Day 2026
Sep 16, 2026
Join us at the University of Georgia on October 1, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for this year's National Manufacturing Day event! This event will showcase interactive lab tours, industry exhibitor tables, and featured speakers from the manufacturing industry including a keynote by Price Industries COO, Aaron Shoonbaert.
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Pecan Workshop 2026
Jul 21, 2026
Join us for the 2026 Pecan Post-Harvest Processing Research Workshop on August 19-20 in Athens, GA, at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. Researchers from the University of Georgia College of Engineering, Fort Valley State University, and the USDA Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Station will present advancements in pecan cracking, shelling, processing, food safety, increased shelf life, and storage.
Agenda Available →