External Partners | DesignLab | University of Twente

DesignLab University of Twente helps businesses, governments and non-profit organisations find innovative solutions to societal challenges.

We mobilise and match talented students, researchers and design thinking moderators to engage in various ways with you and your employees. This leads to a better understanding of the underlying problems, out-of-the box ideas and concepts, advanced prototypes, new ways of working and - in some cases - new products.

THEMES WE LOVE TO WORK ON

Our activities are shaped by the theme of Responsible Futuring – a unique approach towards science-based innovation to design ethically for society. We put Responsible Futuring into practise by fostering transdisciplinary innovation and Citizen Science. The societal domains we are currently focusing on include Health Innovation, Digital Society and Climate Change.

Does the theme of your proposal not fit DesignLab’s scope specifically? We will happily explore whether other departments within the University of Twente / our network can help you out instead.

In our collaborations, we function as a:

centre of expertise, that can be of service with its very own method to connect research to societal questions and their implications through design
‘broker’ between societal questions and expertise from the University of Twente, from both students as (research and educational) staff
party in public-private collaborations, in which businesses and societal organisations co-finance scientific research

In our collaborations, we function as a:

centre of expertise, that can be of service with its very own method to connect research to societal questions and their implications through design
‘broker’ between societal questions and expertise from the University of Twente, from both students as (research and educational) staff
party in public-private collaborations, in which businesses and societal organisations co-finance scientific research

projects we're proud of

Projects by DesignLab

NWO Project: Responsible Smart City Design

The growing municipality of Amersfoort stands on the brink of major change. Its main issues revolve around sustainability, smart technology and democratic participation. How can you give substance to these developments and ensure that the interests of various groups in the “smart” city are all represented? >> Find out more about this project

Citizen Science - Measuring Groundwater levels (Grondwater peilen)

A new approach to groundwater issues has started in Enschede: its residents are monitoring the groundwater level themselves. This will be done within the framework of the Citizen Science pilot called Monitoring Groundwater, coordinated by DesignLab University of Twente. >> Find out more about this pilot

Sheltersuit: Urban Safety Kit

Sheltersuit – a water repellent and windproof suit with removable sleeping bag for refugees and the homeless – will receive an update. With the help of electronics, DesignLab, the Saxion lectorate Smart Functional Materials and the Sheltersuit Foundation are transforming the suit into an 'Urban Safety Kit'.

>> Find out more about Sheltersuit: Urban Safety Kit

A Vital Ecosystem of Knowlegde: Province of Overijssel

The Province of Overijssel and University of Twente – with DesignLab as its project driver – collaborate for a vital ecosystem of knowledge in the province. This is done in the context of challenges we face at a regional and worldwide level.

More info coming soon

EnschedeLab

Mixed student teams from ROC of Twente, AKI ArtEZ, Saxion and the University of Twente work on social issues to make Enschede more sustainable and self-sufficient.

>> Find out more about EnschedeLab

Keeping Talent in Twente

A group consisting of the University Innovation Fellows, Gemeente Enschede and Novel-T work together on a more attractive and welcoming Twente, so it becomes more worthwhile for talents to live and work in the region. >> Find out more about Keeping Talent in Twente

ways to work with designlab

This is only an mpression of what we can work on with you. If you have a radical proposal for a completely different way to work with us, feel free to contact us for tailor-made solutions.

Responsible Futuring Workshops

With a multidisciplinary team of scientists and students, a concrete problem is tackled, by bringing together technical and social-scientific knowledge in creative solutions.

These workshops are usually held in IDEATE or INFORM, but can be extended to the whole DesignLab. See our facilities to see what room is the right one for you!

Student projects

Graduation projects or assignments within an educational module, assigned by a company or an organisation.

These projects can last for an extended period of time and students will be offered a place to set up their projects for a longer period of time to enhance research efficiency. Student-driven projects are also welcome in the Designlab. Examples of this kind of projects are the Solar Team, and the RoboTeam.

Public-Private collaboration

Externally financed promotion trails or postdoc projects and joint research requests.

Collaboration between de UT and external partners for financed PhD- or postdoc projects and joint research questions (EU and national) is possible. DesignLab will function as a central point for the externally financed PhD, PDEng or postdoc researcher shaped by the Responsible Futuring approach

DesignLab strives for structural research collaborations. These are long term tracks which have to be coordinated on UT-level, but in which the DesignLab can have an added value on top of the infrastructure and knowledge of the faculties and institutes.

Visit our events for business

Many of our events are open to public.
They're a great way to get acquinted with DesignLab, and get inspired.
Check out Event Calendar!