Who are we?
We are a multidisciplinary team of socio-technologists operating at the intersection of engineering, design, and social sciences. As a joint initiative of Ghent University and imec, the Societal Imagineering Lab (SIL) serves as a collaborative bridge between the industrial design expertise of design.nexus (UGent Campus Kortrijk) and the human-centric research of imec-mict-ugent. Together, we transform complex societal challenges into tangible, meaningful innovations.
Our goals
Our methods
Futures & Foresight
Exploring possible, probable, and preferable futures through participatory design and strategic foresight methodologies.
Inclusive Design & Human Augmentation
Creating accessible technologies that augment human capabilities and ensure equitable access to innovation.
Impact & Living Labs
Real-world experimentation environments where citizens, researchers, and industry co-create solutions.
Our organisational structure
At an institutional level, the Societal Imagineering Lab is powered by Ghent University and imec. Our research core is built on the synergy between two specialized groups: design.nexus, focusing on industrial design engineering, and imec-mict-ugent, focusing on the human-technology interaction.
The Big Picture: Parent institutions
Providing the academic foundation and research expertise across multiple campuses.
The world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, which provides the framework for high-tech societal application.
The Two Pillars: Connected research groups
Based at UGent Campus Kortrijk, this group leads the Industrial Design Engineering program. They specialize in physical product design and prototyping, providing the industrial expertise to ensure societal solutions are tangible and manufacturable.
Affiliated with Communication Sciences and Industrial Systems Engineering, this team focuses on the "human" side of technology. They provide the behavioral insights and impact analysis needed to ensure innovations meet real-world human expectations.
Our partners
We believe in the power of co-creation. Here are some of the partners we have successfully collaborated with on past projects.
