How can technology help reduce food waste? Within the IN2FOOD project, this question was explored with international partners from Indonesia, Finland, and the Netherlands. As SIL we shaped and contributed to a methodology that applied design thinking in interdisciplinary and international student teams.

What is the future role of the bicycle, and how can technology support it? With imec, we engaged 25 experts to explore mobility in Flanders through four scenarios for 2040. These were used in a wind-tunneling exercise to test the robustness of imec use cases, including digital twins and LiDAR applications.

Older adults often face mobility barriers in daily routes. In collaboration with partners in Santander and Helsinki, we explored how digital twins can support easier navigation. Through co-creation with seniors, we developed and tested a methodology in Flanders, trained partners via a train-the-trainer model, and created prototypes to improve senior mobility.

Within the CoGhent project (Urban Innovative Actions), we explored combining local heritage, digital archives, and neighborhood-based social work. With four Ghent museums, we developed digital interfaces enabling citizens to engage with local stories. Through co-creation, these tools were integrated into social work to strengthen neighborhood cohesion.

An exploration (including concept development, prototyping and field trials) of emerging in-situ technologies for civic participation, focussed on adolescents.

Learning disabilities remain widespread and often misunderstood, creating barriers in employment and social interaction. In the project City of People: Inclusion in 4D, we used a Living Lab approach with participatory co-creation to explore technological solutions. This led to concrete prototypes addressing learning disabilities in Ghent.

Loneliness among older adults is often underestimated, especially as mobility declines and social networks shrink. In a Living Lab in Muide-Meulestede (Ghent), we co-created a solution to strengthen social contact and improve access to support. This resulted in the Hello Jenny Smart Speaker, connecting seniors with volunteers for meaningful interaction.

Technology can evolve in multiple directions, where “good” or “bad” remains ambiguous due to dual-use and shifting societal values. This PhD assumes that ethical and axiological choices in technology development are shaped by changing societal contexts. It uses futures and foresight methods to anticipate these shifts and translate evolving value frameworks into concrete decision-making processes.