University of Twente opened their doors for anyone interested in the day-to-day business on campus. On this sunny day in June, over 2500 people from all ages found their way in different buildings, where they got offered exciting activities to discover science and technology. DesignLab aimed to create a fun and insightful Responsible Futuring experience, where imagination, collaborating and reflecting on their values were key part of understanding their potential impact for positive change.
Explore Future You and Society
People were invited to experience DesignLab and the involvement in the impact hubs climate resilience, digital society and health innovation. Not only by observing, but also by participating in the many finished and ongoing projects in this innovative and collaborative ecosystem. Different types of activities had visitors interact with the DesignLab community and one another, aiming to foster connection between us as part of society and the academic world.
Highlights of the programme explained the impact hubs and asked for active conversations, creative thinking and reflection, whereas other activities offered visitors to explore futures and facilities in their own way, at their own pace. Visitors were also informed about the impact of collaborations with and between researchers and citizens.
Start by looking around
There was no start or finish, but at the entrance, people were welcomed by a DreamTeam student. Visitors received a map that they could use to outline their journey at DesignLab. There was a fixed programme with workshops, a talk and zen moment. Or they could simply walk around and discover the space in their own way. Download the booklet, which includes the information of each programme.
Programme highlights
Glimpse of other activities
Get to know the workshops | Superhero prompts
The challenge: Choose a fun prop, a location and listen carefully: "Imagine a sensor pigeon giving you all the information about you and the area that you live in. Would it be nice or would you wonder: who is responsible for this pigeon?" (watch video). Enter the Digital Workshop, pose in front of the green screen and become the headliner of Futures Magazine!
This experience is part of research project 'From frictions to alternative imaginaries: co-speculating for responsible urban futures', by DesignLab Research Fellows Julieta Matos Castaño and Corelia Baibarac-Duignan.
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Pop-up cinema
The main entrance of DesignLab is temporarily closed due to renovations of the Gallery building.
Our DreamTeam came up with a nice purpose: a cinema with videos of the DesignLab community. UTs Open House was the perfect opportunity for an official opening. On the walls you could see movie posters with the DesignLab Research Fellows, TOPFIT Citizenlab, EnschedeLAB and references to locations where you could experience their activities LIVE!
What are you curious about?
At the start of this year, University of Twente launched the Citizen Science Hub Twente. DesignLab is the place where citizen science activities are being coordinated, facilitated and communicated. During the Open House, representatives of the project team were outside, asking visitors what they would like to know from scientists ('Maak ons wijs voor een bolletje ijs'). They received questions like: "How do I become as old as Sinterklaas?" or "How do you actually reach out to citizens to do research?". In return, visitors were given ice cream, which was a necessity due to the lovely but hot weather.
The Future is Now!
Smiling faces, creative minds, serious answers and parents amazed by their children's anwers... The moral of the story? This Open House went by way too fast. But luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to visit and explore events happening in and with DesignLab, and you are most welcome to participate. Keep an eye on our events page and social media (Instagram | LinkedIn)!
