The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a critical phase for young people living with perinatal HIV, who must navigate typical developmental milestones while managing a chronic illness and facing (fear of) societal stigma. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Dutch young adults …

The approach to homelessness in the Netherlands is currently undergoing a paradigm shift, moving away from shelter-based systems toward direct and unconditional housing, as articulated in the National Action Plan on Homelessness Eerst een Thuis. However, the regular housing supply often fails to meet …

I'm a professor of art, culture, and transition. I explore how art and artistic research can contribute to cultural change within system transitions. Because, without questioning and revising the underlying principles of our established order, we simply won’t be able to realize the kind of systemic change …

Although first-time parents have a great need for effective support in the first challenging years of child upbringing, there is little research on volunteer-led parenting support programs in the context of the transition to parenthood. Therefore, this qualitative study examined the perceived value and …

The fashion industry is among the most polluting sectors worldwide. Each year, more than 92 million tons of textile waste are generated globally, while the number of wears per garment continues to decline. In the Netherlands, on average a person owns approximately 173 clothing items, purchases about …

An increased protein intake is required during aging to preserve muscle mass. A predominantly plant-based diet is beneficial for the climate and may lower the risk of certain non-communicable diseases, but could also lead to protein below recommendations. This study seeks to elucidate facilitators and …

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, …

Future Proof Labs (FPL) was a four-year research project funded by CLICKNL. It was fundamentally oriented toward co-design in contexts of societal transition. The project brought together academic researchers, practitioners, and a broad network of social design bureaus to collaboratively develop and …

Over the past ten years, the ecosystem concept has been used to frame innovation and transition endeavours undertaken by multi-actor groups. Systemic design initiatives are broadly engaging with ecosystems. The concept and phenomenon have been central in theory as well as practice, though remain contested …

Dear Reader, Welcome to Sustainable EU Economy. This book is more than a textbook—it is an invitation to explore how the European Union shapes business, society, and sustainability in today’s interconnected world. My hope is that it will inspire you to think critically, engage actively, and see how Europe’s …