Focus Module Inclusive Futures Studies

This focus module aims to deepen our understanding of the life worlds of other species in Eindhoven, particularly in light of significant infrastructure developments like the A58 highway and the Wilhelminakanaal. We seek to explore habitat restoration strategies and create an interconnected ecological framework that fosters cohabitation on micro, meso, and macro scales. Can design researchers advance regenerative approaches, such as rewilding? What ecosystem services can we offer non-human entities?
Rather than proposing direct solutions, this module aims to cultivate knowledge and methods for engaging with more-than-human perspectives, nurturing an eco-social relationship with our landscape. This is crucial given the Dutch cultural mindset of “maakbaarheidsdenken,” which emphasizes control over nature, often leading to ecological crises. Recent initiatives, like “Ruimte voor de Rivier,” demonstrate a shift towards recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological issues and the rights of natural entities, aligning with new national policies that promote circular, carbon-positive approaches.

Despite these positive changes, a gap remains in guiding landscape-makers toward a more- than-human perspective. This necessitates weaving together diverse cultural perspectives, lived experiences, and knowledge forms, emphasizing the role of design in making non- human life forms tangible and fostering engagement.
We will explore the areas around Best, identifying intriguing biotopes intersected by infrastructure. Participants will select a non-human entity to track through observation, using digital tools to document its interactions and conflicts with the environment. This could involve observing a species like a bat or a tree, and examining its associated ecosystem.

Dr. Naomi Bueno de Mesquita
Naomi is a design-researcher whose work intersects design, anthropology, and philosophy, with a focus on embodiment and emerging technologies. Currently, she holds the position of Professor of Design and Social Justice at Design Academy Eindhoven, where she leads the Social Justice Lab—a pioneering research platform dedicated to reimagining the role of design in fostering equity and justice in society. Central to her work is the integration of non-human entities into the design of future environments. Collaborating with institutions like Rijkswaterstaat and Waterschap de Dommel, her lab addresses real-life challenges, bridging education, research, and society. Previously, Naomi was a Research Fellow in the EU Marie Curie project TRADERS at Design Academy Eindhoven (2014-2017), contributing to a methodological framework for designers in participatory and public space contexts, published in “Trading Places,” which she co-edited.

Niene Boeijen
Niene is a geo-scientist, digital cartographer and web map developer. Next to being a technological skilled web cartographer she is a critical thinker with backgrounds in arts and design. She has designed and developed several (interactive) maps of the Netherlands; from geo-data processing, back-end and applications to the cartographic visualisations. Hereby she has experience with several Dutch open geo-data-sets, Openstreetmap data and skills in all kinds of open source GIS tools.

https://nieneb.nl/online-projects/

Isis Boot
Isis is a social designer and concept developer with a background in design (DAE) and human geography (Radboud University, University of Vienna). Her expertise lies in urban development and architecture, community building, and participatory practices, with a keen interest in embedding social ecosystems within these contexts. Isis aims to foster interdisciplinary cross-pollination between socio-spatial sciences, design, and society to promote critical thinking and drive societal transitions. She is deeply committed to immersing herself in the environments she studies, allowing her to connect theory with practice.

In her work, Isis adeptly blends qualitative research methodologies with design practices, creating innovative tools and approaches for applied projects. Her projects often involve collaborations with governments, consultancy firms, architects, and developers, where she facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue and contributes to the development of socially responsive and sustainable urban environments.

• Moniek Driesse founded The Imaginary Agency, a creative platform focused on urban life, socio-spatial and environmental justice, using imagination and creative interventions. Her PhD at the University of Gothenburg explored the role of water in shaping imaginations and connections across landscapes and generations, using insights from critical heritage studies, artistic research, geography, and ecofeminism.
• Dr. Jeroen Oomen is an assistant professor at the Urban Futures Studio, researching how social and scientific practices shape future conceptions, particularly in relation to climate policy, geo-engineering, and sustainability. His work explores how imagined futures influence social organisation and sustainability efforts. He authored Imagining Climate Engineering and has held research positions at institutions like LMU Munich, Harvard, and KTH Stockholm. The Urban Futures Studio explores sustainable, democratic futures through “futuring”—the social creation of imagined futures that shape collective action. As a transdisciplinary institute, it collaborates with policymakers, activists, artists, and students to envision and enable alternative futures.
• Josse de Voogd is a freelance researcher and publicist focused on the intersection of space, politics, and society. He specializes in voting behavior and social inequalities, and is currently working on his book Gelaagd Land, exploring the political landscape of the Netherlands. He also lectures, publishes, and welcomes contributions for his book project.
• Freek de Haan is an assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, focusing on speculative philosophy, urbanism, and modern governmentality. His research covers topics like gentrification, smart cities, and critical citizen science. He is also involved in teaching and activism.

Phase 1: Data Collection
We immerse ourselves in the world of a non-human actor (e.g., soil, trees, or insects) by examining its habitat, behaviors, and interactions. Key activities include:
• Detailed observations of the non-human actor.
• Interacting with the environment and its inhabitants.
• Using GPS and digital tools to track movements.
• Gathering material samples and creating drawings or models.
• Utilizing digital recordings and existing geodata to gain insights.

This phase will yield models, samples, recordings, maps, and more, providing a thorough understanding of the actor’s world.

Phase 2: Mapping Relationships
We expand our focus to the surrounding ecosystem by interviewing people who interact with the non-human actor, such as apiarists or land managers. Key activities include:
• Conducting interviews to gather diverse perspectives.
• Attending lectures from specialists and researchers.
• Documenting experiences through videos, drawings, and storytelling.
• Learning to navigate geospatial data and GIS for data integration.

This phase aims to reveal the complex interplay within ecosystems, highlighting both positive and negative interactions.

Phase 3: Futuring
Connecting the “more-than-human” realm with future-oriented practices, we engage all actors in envisioning inclusive, biodiverse futures. We will use tools like prototyping and Cultural Probes to explore speculative scenarios.
Students can emphasize different tracks and decide how to engage with digital methods. Outcomes may include creating an atlas of a worm’s lived experience, designing encounters between contrasting perspectives (e.g., a sea-worm and a fisherman), or developing new methods and spatial narratives.

This comprehensive approach enhances our ability to advocate for nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecological and social systems.