This PhD focuses on Living Labs in healthcare. The aim is to study and develop new tools and methods to increase the successful implementation of innovation in healthcare. By exploring emerging technologies and trends, the project develops and integrates these into new methods and tools that strengthen and support the Living Lab methodology in healthcare.

The PhD project investigates how technology innovation ecosystems can become more accessible and inclusive, enabling people with diverse needs to participate in shaping emerging technologies. Using participatory and inclusive design approaches, it studies and develops tools, methods, and environments that lower or prevent barriers to engagement in innovation processes.

The care sector is under growing pressure due to ageing populations, staff shortages, and rising costs, creating a clear need to develop and test digital and AI-based solutions in a structured and collaborative way. ZIMPACT adds value by creating a single conversational interface for information and guidance on legal and ethical frameworks, user-facing AI, and sustainable implementation.

CamoTEXTtreme is a European collaboration to develop Multifunctional Textiles for Camouflage and Resistance to Extreme Environmental Conditions. Our research includes the study of thermoregulation and ergonomics (human factors), developing prototypes and user testing.

The ASTRA project develops a research-grade experimentation platform for studying Agentic AI and conversational interfaces in real-world settings. By combining rapid prototyping across devices with a behavioral experimentation suite, it allows researchers to evaluate user trust, acceptance, and human-in-the-loop dynamics through rigorous "in-the-wild" testing.

Flanders is strengthening its position in stage technology. The Stagetech Flanders project develops an experimental hub in Boom to initiate innovative stagetech pilot projects with local stakeholders. Using foresight methods, we map trends, generate innovation ideas, and develop roadmaps. Our expertise in futures methods and Living Lab processes supports this trajectory.

In Belgium, around 210,000 people live with dementia, and cultural heritage has been shown to stimulate memories, emotional engagement, and cognitive well-being. This project develops a mobile installation using experience cards, projection, and AI-generated narratives to help heritage professionals facilitate conversations and evoke deep memories in people with dementia.

This living lab project examines how digital and physical technologies can support care professionals across youth, elderly, disability, and childcare services, with the aim of reducing work load and increasing professional well-being. The research is structured in four phases, moving from exploration and selection to real-world validation.

As part of the European ENLIGHT program, we are co-developing a blended intensive program (BIP) on empathy for students. The “Empathy in Action” initiative aims to empower students to use empathy as a driver for innovation and social change through challenge-based learning methodologies. The program consist of 3 blocks: an online pre- and post-phase, and a one-week on-sight course.

Personal Data Stores (PDS) and Solid aim to restore user data control, yet adoption lags despite institutional interest. This thesis uses multi-sector research to prove that usage challenges are manageable, providing a practical design tool to help companies bridge the gap and drive PDS-driven innovation.

This project explored the boundaries between real-world and hybrid VR/XR prototyping and user testing.

Production processes face pressure from aging, climate change, and rapid technological change, complicating long-term workforce development in Flanders. Flanders Make and imec explored future scenarios with over 50 experts. We designed and facilitated the process through interviews, workshops, and iterative scenarios, including exploration of large language models in foresight.