In this co-design project, we wanted to better understand how leverage point theory could be applied to the social design field. We also wanted to develop an alternative perspective on and language for the different systemic levels design needs to tackle to contribute to societal impact and long-term …

Despite a renewed political and academic interest in the topic, there is still a general lack of knowledge and understanding when it comes to rurality and rural lives. At the same time, the knowledge that we do have is often distorted through a predominantly urban lens. These facts make it difficult …

This study investigates how human resemblance in avatars shapes mind perception. Virtual worlds are often praised for their potential to transform how people collaborate, learn, and play. Yet this promise relies on our willingness to treat others in a genuinely human way. Mind perception theory defines …

In the face of increasingly complex societal challenges, the field of social design is being called upon to deepen its ability to create long-term, systemic impact. This project, conducted with five experienced social designers and one workshop in our ESConference in 2025, explored how systems thinking, …

As youth workers increasingly offer support and guidance within digital environments, the question arises as to what impact this support has on the (online) lives of young people. This paper explores the contribution of youth work practice in the online lifeworld on young peoples’ development, building …

Bijdrage aan Social Werk Conferentie: Conformeren of transformeren.Sociaal werk onderzoek tussen volgzaamheid en verzet.Universiteit Gent, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Gent

This report documents the progress and interim outcomes of Work Package 1.1 within the Cool Cities project under the Interreg North Sea Region programme. WP1.1 focuses on developing Local Context Summary Memos for each partner city, providing a shared evidence base on urban heat risks, vulnerabilities, …

This curriculum on social mentoring is the result of a collaboration of a diverse group of academics, practitioners and students from around the world and was developed and facilitated as part of the Erasmus Plus Project “Mentoring for Social Inclusion in Europe: Sharing Knowledge and Building Capacity” …