Co-design for All: doing co-design in practice

Elvia Vasconcelos is a doctoral candidate at Eindhoven University of Technology, specializing in design research with a focus on the politics inherent in collaborative design methods, particularly co-design. Their research investigates the relationship between these methods and power dynamics, aiming to illuminate how power is distributed through design practices and how these methods can serve as political tools. With over a decade of experience in user research within the UK, Elvia has developed expertise in creating processes that integrate civil society into policy-making and the delivery of digital services. This background informs their current work, which seeks to critically engage with design methodologies to foster more equitable participation in design processes. Through their research, Elvia Vasconcelos contributes valuable insights into the intersection of design, politics, and social justice, positioning themselves as an emerging thought leader in the field.

Kristina Andersen is an Associate Professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology, where she is part of the Future Everyday cluster within the Department of Industrial Design. Her research focuses on enabling individuals to envision potential technological futures through digital craftsmanship and collaborative interactions with semi-intelligent machines, particularly in the realm of soft fiber-based materials. Andersen explores critical questions surrounding innovation processes, such as who drives these processes and how methodologies can be reframed to incorporate the complex cultural, political, and personal dimensions of life. By emphasizing the importance of making and conceptualizing technology alongside communities and materials, she seeks to construct visions of what remains unimagined. With a rich background that includes 14 years at STEIM, involvement in the Making Things Public art research program at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, and leadership of the Instruments and Interfaces master’s program at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Andersen brings a wealth of experience to her work. Additionally, she serves as a longstanding advisor for the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie and acts as an expert reviewer for H2020 projects. Her contributions to the academic community include co-chairing significant conferences such as CHI Art 2018 and CHI Design paper tracks from 2019 to 2020, further establishing her as a leading figure in the intersection of design, technology, and art.

Laura Alciauskaitė is affiliated with Eindhoven University of Technology, where her expertise lies in advanced engineering and research. She has contributed significantly to the university's initiatives in areas like electrode testing, electrocatalysis, and sustainable energy solutions, focusing on innovative applications such as spin magnetic catalysts for water electrolysis.