Lowering barriers
Fourth year student Josh Doromal developed a digital platform that allows users not only to reserve the OBA Next Lab space, but also to explain what kind of event or activity they want to organise. “It’s more than just a booking system,” Josh explains. “The platform provides information about the OBA Next Lab and shows what’s possible there. It also serves as a space where people can connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired.” Josh’s goal is to lower the threshold for use and make it easier to bring the lab to life.

The platform is currently in a testing phase. Users who make a reservation now are asked to provide feedback, which Josh is using to improve the system. In the coming months, the platform will be optimized so it can function independently, allowing users to organise events without staff involvement.

Visualising with AI
Along with five fellow second year students, Given Klemann is working on an innovative book club concept. “We want to start a book club in the OBA Next Lab where AI plays a role in how people perceive a story,” Given says. “For example, you read a page from a book, and then our AI tool helps you visualize how you imagine the characters. You then compare that with others and discuss why your interpretations differ. That leads to some really interesting conversations.”

Their AI generator is still in development, but on April 23 they will test the first prototype during a co-creation session. Participants will read a page from a book, describe how they envision the story, and see a visual representation of that interpretation. These images will then be used to spark discussion within the group. According to Given, it’s a playful and low-key way to reflect on literature and share different perspectives.

Connecting with the city
Laura Brongers, one of the OBA Next Lab’s coordinators, says these are exactly the types of projects the lab was meant for. “We don’t just want the OBA Next Lab to be a space for activities, but a real third space – a place that people see as their own and can help shape,” she explains. “We can think up all kinds of ideas, but it’s much more powerful when people come up with things they care about. These student projects really help us make that happen.”

With their book club concept, the students are not only exploring ways to make reading more appealing, but also how AI can be used to create deeper connections between readers. Laura: “It’s great to see students thinking creatively about the library of the future. They’re helping us innovate and build stronger ties with the city. And the same goes for Josh’s platform: it helps to increase the visibility and use of the OBA Next Lab – by students, staff, and Amsterdam residents alike.”

First experiences in the virtual space

During the initial VR onboarding session, students from Inholland and QUT met in small international teams for an interactive introduction. They used immersive VR technology—a virtual environment that, through VR headsets, makes users feel truly present and together in a shared digital space. In the second session, they worked on learning assignments from the Creative Business program in The Hague, using two key methods:

• The Co-Design Canvas, developed by Wina Smeenk, Professor of Societal Impact Design at Inholland.
• Playing personas, a method that helps bring target audiences to life through role-play, as described in the Co-Design book by Jeremy Kerr, Associate Professor of Visual Communication at QUT's School of Design.

Australian students used avatars and the playing personas method to reflect on various concepts developed by Inholland students. This enabled them to provide constructive, embodied feedback to improve the concepts and prototypes. Simultaneously, the research explores how co-design in VR can foster empathy and connection through immersive and embodied experiences.

Jeremy Kerr: “We are exploring how co-design can take place in new ways using the latest technology. Rather than relying solely on Zoom, Teams, and virtual whiteboards to collaborate across borders, we’re looking at embodied co-design in specially designed virtual spaces. This is a whole new way to experience creative collaboration.”

How dit the project begin?

The project emerged from a partnership between Inholland, QUT, and the EdTech-team, enabled by a VIS grant awarded after a successful pilot in July 2024. The project has since been further developed and is now being tested in practice with students.

For many students, this is their first time collaborating in a VR environment. They gain firsthand experience of working in virtual teams, developing cross-cultural communication skills, digital literacy, and in-depth knowledge of co-design methods.

Project leader Claudia Mayer, lecturer Creative Business and researcher at Societal Impact Design within the ARC Research Center, emphasizes: “This immersive form of co-design offers students a unique learning experience. They develop not only technical and content-specific skills but also learn to collaborate with people from around the world.”

Next Steps

Now that the VR sessions are complete, a feedback session was held to exchange experiences and perspectives. The group will also co-author an article about this innovative approach to education and collaboration. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Wina Smeenk, Professor of Societal Impact Design, concludes: “Through this research, we’re gaining valuable insights into how VR experiences can support cross-border co-design. We saw that students truly felt like they were working together. In their gestures, we observed early signs of empathy—for example, when an Australian avatar of a 12-year-old girl was comforted with a gentle pat on the head by a Dutch student. We’re also learning more about integrating VR technology into education and research.”

Press here for Dutch

The future of sustainability starts with yourself. The Expertise Network for Systemic Co-Design (ESC) is proud to present the ESC-IDG Hub. This platform, launched on 27 January, brings together professionals, researchers and students to develop skills and devise solutions for sustainability challenges. The hub can be accessed at www.esc-idghub.nl. In addition to a website, the hub includes a traveling exhibition that than can be visited in the Expo space at Inholland, Amsterdam until 6 February.
 

Starting point for innovation
The ESC-IDG Hub focuses on addressing societal transitions and sustainability challenges. The platform combines the development of individual skills and capabilities with systemic co-design, a method for tackling complex problems together in a structured creative way. Think of problems such as climate change, social inequality and the transition to a circular economy.

Many of us can feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of such challenges and don't know where to start taking action. This is why authentic leadership has an important place in the ESC-IDG Hub. IDG stands for the Inner Development Goals and emphasizes how personal growth contributes to achieving a sustainable society and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides a starting point: From being to acting.

Collaboration and personal development

The ESC-IDG Hub responds to the urgent need for development and focuses on three main objectives:

• Creating awareness among students and teachers about the importance of inner development in relation to societal transitions.
• Community-building: creating a network in which students and teachers can exchange experiences, exercises and tools, among other things.
• Integration into education: providing practical tools to integrate the IDGs into curricula and projects within higher education.

Jürg Thölke, professor of the Authentic Leadership research group and involved in the ESC-IDG Hub, explains, “At the core, you can only meet societal challenges through awareness of yourself and your place in the world. That the topic is sufficiently highlighted and normalised is essential. This hub is an important part of that and helps us think, develop and learn from each other. So that together we can realise more impact.”

Traveling exhibition as a place for connection
In addition to launching an online platform, where interested people can subscribe to the WhatsApp group to stay informed about the various activities, there is a physical exhibition. This interactive exhibition gives visitors a glimpse into the hub's projects and methodologies and aims. On the one hand, it acts as a research instrument to collect information from visitors for the further elaboration of educational interventions and on the other, to create a place for meeting and connecting.

Philippa Collin, researcher and project leader explains, “With this hub we want to strengthen connections and initiate a local ecosystem where education, research and practice meet. The exhibition plays an important role in this: it provides inspiration, invites visitors to think about their own contribution and helps them make the connection with their intrinsic motivation. Ultimately, we hope that everyone in education, students, teachers and staff, will see themselves playing a role in the challenging social transitions ahead.”

The exhibition can be visited in the Expo space of Inholland, Amsterdam until 6 February. After that, the exhibition will start a journey to visit other partners in the Expertise Network for Systemic Co-Design: Inholland Den Haag, Hogeschool Utrecht, Haagse Hogeschool and Hogeschool Rotterdam. The exact exhibition dates will be listed on the website.

 Want to know more about ESC-IDG Hub?
Powering something big starts from something small within yourself. Those who want their work to be meaningful and to explore their own potential to contribute to societal transitions can join the hub at www.esc-idghub.nl or for more information contact Philippa Collin at philippa.collin@inholland.nl.

“Fabricated is designed to give visitors insight into how digital technologies are affecting our society. Our goal is to make complex topics such as AI and misinformation understandable and tangible. With interactive games and experiences, the exhibition bridges the gap between abstract digital concepts and everyday reality. I hope that visitors to the exhibition will feel more confident and better equipped to participate in democracy,” said Susannah Montgomery, researcher at the Media, Technology & Society Research Group at ARC research center.

From the Netherlands to the United States
After touring the Netherlands and other European countries from May to July, fabricated was on view in September as the first exhibition in the Expo space during the opening of Inholland's new building on Pina Bauschplein in Amsterdam. After that, the exhibition was on view at prominent events such as the Society 5.0 Festival (Oct. 9-10) and DigiQuest (Nov. 21-22). In the meantime, fabricated took a three-week trip across the United States ahead of the presidential election. There it made stops such as The LOVE Building in Detroit (Oct. 21-24), The Ohio State University's Translational Data Analytics Institute (Oct. 29 to Nov. 5) and The STEAM Factory in Columbus (Nov. 8).

The exhibition also received rave reviews in the US: “From the moment I ‘met’ Alex, the AI news reader, I was sold. In our polarized society, we need more bridges like fabricated to help people better understand each other and their digital world,” said an American visitor.

Fabricated returns to Inholland Amsterdam
In the coming months, the research team will publish articles and reports on how residents of the United States and Europe understand important digital issues, such as misinformation, AI and content moderation. These insights, based on interviews and surveys conducted during the tour, provide a better picture of how societies deal with digital challenges.

Part of the exhibition will return to Inholland's Expo space in January as part of an exhibition on Digital Rights. With this, fabricated continues to contribute to the conversation about the role of technology in our society for the time being.

Listen to the interview with Susannah and Andy on Instagram during the exhibition of fabricated at The LOVE Building in Detroit.

The Student Success Centre Amsterdam introduces a meditation innovation: in the brand-new simulation lab, you can let your daily worries slip away from you even better, as you are completely immersed in a different environment.

A crowing rooster, a moped in the distance, a gong, views of a volcano, a subtle citrus scent. You imagine yourself in Bali. Meanwhile, a quiet voice guides you through a meditation and 15 minutes later you are back outside relaxed, recharged for the rest of your day. The first meditation sessions in the simulation lab during Mental Health Day were a great success. Reason enough to repeat them monthly with different themes and meditation facilitators.

Where do we go?

• On Monday 25 November, we will revisit Bali, for some summer vibes in this bleak month.
• During the Christmas party on Tuesday 17 December, you can unwind at one of three sessions - including one at the North Pole (the rest is a surprise 😉).
• Monday 20 January we dive into the underwater world during Blue Monday.
• Thursday, 13 February, you ca feel the love while enjoying a Thai sunset (because: almost Valentine's Day).

Practical

•        For whom                                            Students and teachers of Inholland UAS
•        Dates                                                     25/11, 17/12, 20/1, 13/2
•        Time                                                       12.00 & 12.30 - except on 17/12 then 16.30, 17.00, 17.30
•        Location                                               Simulation lab 03.150
•        Meditation guides                          Karin Hoens, Natalie van Gils, Kristel Hartog.
•        Language                                             Depending on participants: Dutch/English
•        Experience with meditation     Not required
•        Registration                                       Not necessary, you can just walk in!

Treat yourself to this experience, see you then!

The Leisure & Tourism Lab (ULTL), with locations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, has been accepted as a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). This makes them the first lab focused on tourism and leisure to be admitted to this network, a remarkable achievement! ENoLL is the international, non-profit, independent association of benchmarked Living Labs. Their objective is to foster the global development of Living Labs as open innovation ecosystems based on co-creation and cross border & cross-sectoral collaboration. In their assessment of the ULTL, ENoLL says: “ULTL shows a strong and inclusive governance model, engaging a wide range of stakeholders effectively. Also, a solid track record in running living lab projects, with a focus on urban leisure and tourism is presented and it demonstrates as well a clear interest in regional and international innovation. Their considerable experience in living lab operations is supported by compelling proof.

Peggy van Schijndel, managing director of the Creative Business Research Center: “This accreditation by ENoLL is a wonderful recognition and appreciation by external partners and experts for the way of working we have built up over the years: not just doing quick research, but making long-term contributions to an area and an issue. Not thinking in quick fixes for complex problems, but developing interventions that increase the involvement of all stakeholders and their understanding of the complexity. This is also how we learn about methods of co-creation and participation. Last week, two more groups of young professionals started in these labs, bringing in knowledge from their discipline, from experience in the field, from their personal experience as visitors or tourists - and very valuable: often also local knowledge as residents.”

DigiQuest is organized by Inholland University of Applied Sciences and IBCOL. The student-focused event is scheduled for November 17 at the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. In this impact-driven gathering, students and professionals will explore together how developments such as blockchain, AI, and big data can contribute to solving the big challenges society is facing today.

Blockchain Olympiad
In 2020, Inholland University of Applied Sciences participated for the first time in the International Blockchain Olympiad, an annual competition for students. Participants are challenged to solve social issues using emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Inholland came in third that year. That stage award in the prestigious competition got attention and sparked conversation. This is how the idea was born to bring the Olympiad to Amsterdam.

Project leader Richard John: "We were keen to collaborate with the Olympiad to find even more creative answers to the big problems we face today. It was our wish to set up a bigger event around the Olympiad. We are proud that this year's Olympiad is taking place in Europe for the first time, having previously been held in Hong Kong, Canada, and Bangladesh, among others. On November 17, students and partners will immerse themselves in the Nemo Science Museum, Amsterdam, to learn how you can use technology to influence the future."

Leap forward
Initiator Peggy van Schijndel: "Beyond just showcasing the role technology can play in social innovation, the initiative is focused on making a tangible contribution to society. This is achieved by having students work on real social challenges presented by our partner organisations, including companies like Deloitte, The Next Web, and OpenAI, as well as non-profit organisations like Oxfam Novib and The Rainforest Alliance. They will pitch diverse challenges during various workshops that will be taken up by students. We are in an important phase of technical development and innovation. It is a leap forward that also makes us face new challenges, for example, in the areas of rights, inclusion, privacy, and data ownership. These issues will all be addressed."

During the event, there will be panel discussions and active workshops, for example, on education for Generation Z and the societal side of this development, such as privacy and human rights. Richard: "Digital space is going to play an important role in education. That's why Inholland already wants to embed it as much as possible in tuition. It is very nice that we can explore this development together with so many partners from the field. The international aspect of the event, with participation from students around the world, adds a valuable global perspective to the discussions. It's fascinating to hear how students from different cultural backgrounds perceive and adapt to these digital advancements.”

Intersection between technology and society
Peggy: "DigiQuest is open to anyone who recognizes the importance of incorporating technology to address significant societal challenges. While the event welcomes participants with technical expertise, it particularly emphasizes the inclusion of students from a variety of fields, such as Creative Business, innovation, care and welfare. They may have less knowledge of technology, but they are aware of the social issues at stake. It's really about that intersection between these technical developments and pressing issues."

The event thus targets a wide audience, including students from other educational institutions who are participating in the Olympiad. The municipality of Amsterdam will issue a challenge for secondary school students. They will investigate how technology can be used to solve a typical urban issue. "That way, there is something for everyone," Richard says. "For a start, it's a great opportunity for our students to get to know the business community and future employers. Furthermore, during DigiQuest you will learn how to use AI and blockchain for your own future, both professionally and personally. And finally, it's just a fun day where you meet students from all over the world and have free access to Nemo."

Learn more and register now!