I am a design researcher, systems-thinking practitioner, and translator of social and ecological complexity. My work draws on complexity science, systemic design, and more-than-human-centered design to foster meaningful engagement within social systems. I focus on designerly ways of doing—such as visualization, imagination, form-giving, and sensemaking—that support creative collaboration among diverse actors, particularly those with conflicting interests, in both stable and turbulent contexts.

I specialize in qualitative and critical research methods, with a strong interest in designing and facilitating dialogic processes that encourage reflexive learning. During my PhD at the University of Antwerp’s Faculty of Design Sciences, I developed the Design-Driven Conflicts (DDC) Approach—a systemic design method that turns designerly ways of knowing into a practical framework. The DDC Approach helps engage with the deep narratives of social systems and foster constructive dialogue between antagonistic actors. It provides guidance on where to begin conversations, how to structure meaningful discussions, and how to build collaboration in contested social settings.

I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at Utrecht University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences. My work focuses on community engagement and citizen empowerment through the Be-Prepared and GAIM research platforms. In these projects, I collaborate on complex, multi-stakeholder challenges—particularly in public health and sustainable energy transitions—while working to center the voices of lay stakeholders and support more equitable social change.