ESConference Escape towards Impact

How can Systemic Co-design contribute to lasting impact in times of transition?

From 11 to 13 February 2026 we invite transition makers to celebrate four years of ESC and the start of a new phase for the Expertisenetwork Systemic Co-design. During this three day ESConference in and around Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam designers, societal organisations and researchers come together to share experience and learn from practice stories field expeditions and reflections on impact in transition contexts research and education. The central question is what we have learned about Systemic Co-design and how these insights can be applied to the societal challenges we face now and in the future.

Programme overview

A new chapter for Systemic Co Design
After four years of collaboration ESC reflects on what has been learned and created and on what lies ahead. What can Systemic Co Design offer when addressing complex societal challenges and how can it be applied within contexts such as healthcare social work energy transition and green cities?

A programme of meaningful encounters
Expect three days each also visitable separately full of keynotes workshops book presentations and interactive sessions. An international line up of designers researchers and societal partners shares knowledge methods and impact stories.

11 February 2026 – Practice in Focus Wina Smeenk Lector Societal Impact Design Hogeschool Inholland Tomasz Jaskiewicz Professor of Civic Prototyping at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and Design Fellow in Prototyping Complexity at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft kristel Thieme Founder and Chief Executive Officer, New Future Lab Erwin Elling Fundamentals Academy Caroline Hummels Professor Design and Theory for Transformative Qualities at TU/e Cecilia Brenner Managing Director, Design for Good Joeri van den steenhoven Vice-President Executive Board of Leiden University of Applied Sciences and Chair South-Holland Impact Alliance. Klaus Sailer CEO at Start for Future Cooperative, Professor for Entrepreneurship at Munich University of Applied Sciences

11 February Practice in Focus
A full day of inspiring stories from practice. Ongoing completed and new projects from across the ESC network demonstrate how Systemic Co Design works in action particularly within transition contexts and networks. In the evening a Dutch language programme presents a new book on knowledge products as tangible outcomes of practice based research.

For more information about the programme check it out here.

12 February 2026 – Expedition Day Sietske Klooster Design Researcher and Facilitator Manon Joosten Ontwerponderzoeker en procesbegeleider van onderwijs(innovaties) Nanda Deen Procesbegeleider nieuwe pabo Hogeschool Inholland

12 February Expedition Day

Conference participants move through the city of Amsterdam visiting ESC partner organisations and projects in the wild. This day focuses on exchange cross pollination and the development of ESC as a shared culture.

For more information about the programme check it out here.

13 February 2026 – Impact and Education Dr. Ilya Zitter Lector Leeromgevingen in het Beroepsonderwijs, Hogeschool Utrecht Wim de Kinderen Vice President of European Network of Living Labs, Programme Director European Affairs Arthur Kok Professor of Transforming the Economy Claudia Mayer Lecturer Design Thinking & researcher Co-Design & Gen AI for Design Jasper Huitink Teacher, Co-Design Studio Theo Niessen Professor of Impact, Fontys Universities of Applied Sciences Gertjan Schuiling Senior Lecturer in Action Research for Changemakers, VU Amsterdam

13 February Impact and Education
The final day explores how research can be translated into impact on education and professional practice. What has four years of ESC delivered and what does it mean to continue building toward lasting impact?

For more information about the programme check it out here.

Workshops and book sessions (across multiple days) Koen van Turnhout Lector Human Experience & Media Design at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences Daan Andriessen Professor of Research Capability Miriam Losse Educational Developer Laura Niño Cáceres Senior Researcher PhD in Systemic Transformation, Societal Impact and Digital Ethics Celina Whitehead Design Researcher Nino Basilashvili Artist and Researcher