[urban interfaces] is a research platform for a critical investigation of urban interfaces for creative and participatory engagement at the crossing of academic research and creative practices. Focusing on mobile and situated media, arts, and performances, [urban interfaces] fosters critical reflections on, and interventions in, these socio-spatial and somatechnical activities and their shaping and staging of urban culture. 

[urban interfaces] is an initiative of the Department for Media and Culture Studies (MCW) and seeks collaboration with an expanding local and international network of academic and cultural partners. 

For more information, see urbaninterfaces.net.

• prof. dr. Nanna Verhoeff
• dr. Imar de Vries
• dr. Michiel de Lange
• dr. Anastasia Hacopian PhD
• dr. Dan Hassler-Forest
• dr. Rick Dolphijn

Unproductive confrontations in education are increasing, while higher education should be the place where the exchange of diverse perspectives leads to new ideas, insights, and ways of thinking. However, education focused on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students and teachers need to participate in an open dialogue remains limited. This innovation project aims to teach students and teachers to adopt different perspectives and engage in open dialogue through the use of creative learning activities (games, design processes, and art in dialogue). In addition, media and art are employed to support an institutional shift toward an open culture.

Lead of Work Package 3: The Square (Het Vlak). Responsible for the development, testing, and implementation of the dialogic learning method The Square e in higher education. Lead of Work Package 4: Teacher Professional Development. Developed teaching materials and moderator training programmes, and delivered moderator training sessions. Co-lead of Work Package 5: Artwork as a Conversation Starter. Involved in the creative development process of the tapestry Being a University. Developed dialogue formats around the tapestry and facilitated conversations inspired by the artwork.

• prof. dr. R.C. (Remco) Veltkamp
• Hiljanne van der Meer MSc
• Robin Bos
• dr. Jasper van Vught
• prof. dr. Gönül Dilaver
• prof. dr. Leoniek Wijngaards

A transdisciplinary toolkit for mapping and analysing urgent issues around infrastructures in public spaces
In order to allow citizens to engage with, and work collaboratively toward, (more) sustainable urban futures, we need awareness of the infrastructures that co-shape our private and public lives, their interrelations, and one’s own participatory position within these networks. To enable this ‘infrastructural thinking’ and the co-creative processes around it, this project develops a transdisciplinary toolkit for creative urban methods. As a seed money project for the Tranforming Infrastructures for Sustainable Cities hub, we aim to create a robust methodology for research into (futures for) sustainable urban infrastructures through a productive exchange between the social sciences, geosciences and the humanities.

• prof. dr. Martijn Oosterbaan
• prof. dr. Nanna Verhoeff
• dr. Irina van Aalst

P-S is an open source movement that uses both analogue and digital platforms in order to increase the visibility of scenographic practices and to improve the quality of reflection on this particular type of design. P-S literally offers a platform for scenographers with various disciplinary backgrounds (connected to for instance the design of light, sound, video, space or costumes) to exchange experience, expertise and reflection. In order to improve reflection and deepen insights into this particular design practice, P-S creates encounters between scenographers, dramaturges and performance researchers, instigating fruitful exchanges between theory and practice. In addition, P-S creates connections with design disciplines that are closely connected to (theatre) scenography, such as architecture, public space design, interaction design, fashion, and more.

• Anne Karin ten Bosch; Nienke Scholts; Henny Dörr
• Trudi Maan