DesignLab at the University of Twente (UT) has been advancing the Responsible Futuring approach, initially conceived by researcher Cristina Zaga. This approach aims to involve transdisciplinary communities to address complex societal challenges.
Launch of Responsible Futuring Crash Courses
In response to a request from UT’s President of the Executive Board, Vinod Subramaniam, DesignLab launched a series of crash courses on Responsible Futuring. These courses aimed to mobilise the UT community around pressing societal challenges and have the potential to create significant impact within the university and beyond.
Focused Workshops on Key Themes
DesignLab organised 3-hour crash courses on three critical themes:
- Climate Resilience: This workshop focused on strategies to enhance resilience to climate change impacts. Participants discussed ways to adapt infrastructures, communities, and ecosystems to withstand and recover from climate-related disruptions. By fostering an understanding of climate science and the socio-economic factors involved, the workshop aimed to equip participants with the tools to develop robust, adaptable solutions.
- 4th Generation University: This session explored how universities can create societal impact within and beyond academic environments. Participants examined the evolving role of higher education institutions in society, emphasising the need for universities to engage more deeply with local and global communities. Strategies included fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaborative research that addresses real-world problems.
- Planetary Health: This workshop, a joint effort among the Planetary Health community, DesignLab team, TechMed, and Climate Center, promoted health and well-being in urban settings. The focus was on the interconnection between human health and the health of our planet. Participants explored how urban planning, public health policies, and environmental sustainability can be integrated to improve overall quality of life in cities.
Engaging and Collaborative Learning
Participants, including students, professors, researchers, and university staff, explored strategies to address these challenges. They connected, shared values, framed challenges, and speculated on future scenarios to understand the long-term consequences of today’s actions.
Insights from DesignLab Leaders
Julieta Matos Castaño and Maartje Huinink from DesignLab emphasised the crash courses' role in sparking new ideas and strengthening ongoing projects at UT. They highlighted the importance of exploring potential futures and bringing insights back to the present through introspection and discussion. The courses served as effective kick-offs for longer projects, emphasising the need for further exploration and collaborative solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration and Community Impact: Involving challenge owners and fostering mutual learning added significant value, helping participants understand the challenges in context and facilitating transdisciplinary exploration.
- Tangible Futures: Engaging in “thinking with their hands” helped participants think critically and generate new ideas by making futures tangible.
- Emphasising Empathy and Collaboration
Miriam Iliohan, Co-founder and Manager at DesignLab, highlighted the importance of empathy and collaboration in these workshops. She noted the benefits of working together with multiple stakeholders, creating a unified movement towards change driven by passion and involvement.
A Broader Vision for the University
A memorable moment from the workshops was when Vinod Subramaniam suggested that UT should be "for Twente," emphasising the need for collaboration with the region’s people, researchers, students, and society at large. This vision underscores the importance of mutual engagement and collaboration.
Upcoming Opportunities
For those interested in exploring the Responsible Futuring approach, DesignLab offers a toolbox and various workshops through the DesignLab Academy. Upcoming events include:
- Responsible Futuring in 1 Day - Towards a Circular Society: September 16th.
- Sustainable AI Futures Masterclass: November 21st and 22nd.
Join the Journey Towards a Sustainable Society
Secure your spot today and join us in creating a more sustainable society! Sign Up for the Workshop
