Not trying to better understand problems, but rather creating something to solve these problems. That is the underlying motive behind the research work of lecturer-researcher Gijs Terlouw of the iHuman professorship. His most important research themes are digital innovation in care, welfare and/or education.

“I originally started my career as a  programmer. After completing a study in Social Work and a Master’s in Educational Sciences, I eventually became a lecturer and researcher at  NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. I have always been interested in technology and innovation since the early years of my career, and that combines perfectly with my current research and lecturing. I am particularly involved in design research, where digital innovations in care and welfare and/or education are the most important themes.”

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Drs. Gijs Terlouw

Design research

Design research is nothing new, but it still keeps on being contrasted to the more traditional school of fundamental/analytical research. We also often have to force our articles and papers into formats that are actually more suited to traditional research. Design research is in essence very different. And that is a real challenge.”

“By personally guiding the research, running a minor where design thinking is central and designing things essential to education, there is an excellent and direct link with education and your own research. By essential things, what we call ‘artefacts’, I mean a physical product, service, software, design, building, landscape, organisation or process. The good things eventually trickle down into the practice.”