Science-Design Collaboration to Tackle Climate Change with two participating NIOZ scientists

Shifting Tides

The project Shifting Tides from the program, explores the impact of rising sea levels on the Wadden Sea’s ecosystems. Led by PhD candidate Hailley Danielson-Owczynsky of NIOZ and geo-designer Matilde Stolfa, this nine-month collaboration resulted in an ephemeral installation in Texel and a documentary that investigates sediment redistribution and its effects on migratory birds. The project emphasizes the interconnectedness between human actions and natural environmental shifts, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to climate change.

The partnership between scientist Hailley and designer Matilde was initially driven by their shared thematic interests but soon deepened through their mutual passion for fieldwork. A key moment in their collaboration came during a shared field trip, where the spatial aspects of their respective fields brought them closer both personally and professionally, transforming their partnership into a highly effective, lasting collaboration.

Connected Witnesses

Connected Witnesses is an ongoing project led by PhD candidate Evy Gobbens and material researcher/designer Andrea de la Peña. It explores how people connect with nature, focusing on Texel's natural environment. Their work looks at how different ways of observing nature—scientific and personal—can offer deeper insights into our surroundings. Evy and Andrea designed experiences that encourage participants to use their senses and emotions to engage with nature, creating personal stories connected to specific places. These experiences were then woven into a textile piece, integrating natural elements and videos that document the process. This combination of mediums and perspectives helps viewers find common ground between their experiences and those of others, fostering a deeper connection to nature and its spaces.

Explore Collaborations for Future at Dutch Design Week 2024 Eindhoven

The outcomes of the Collaborations for Future laboratory, including Shifting Tides, will be on display at Dutch Design Week 2024 from October 19th until 27th in Eindhoven. Visitors can explore projects fusing science and design while addressing global climate challenges in innovative ways: Collaborations for Future - Foundation We Are | Dutch Design Week (ddw.nl)

Other Laboratory examples are:

Sea-Level Neutral Ice Cream: A speculative product by Merel Witteman (Designer) and Roderik van de Wal (University Utrecht) designed to raise awareness about melting ice caps.
Energy Futures Prep Pack: A project by Lisa Mandemaker (Designer) and Nikki Kluskens (TU/e) exploring future energy resilience without electricity.