co-design for societal transition, which we encounter as a system
Hosted by the Expertise Network Systemic Co-Design | October 10 & 11, 2023 | De-conference October 12 | The Netherlands | Pakhuis de Zwijger [Zwijger Warehouse]
Expertise Network Systemic Co-design (ESC) is an initiative by five universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Our main goal is to collaboratively explore systemic co-design as a problem-solving approach that helps co-design projects understand the interconnected systems that contribute to a problem and develop interventions that address the root causes of the problem.
Call for Contributions | Deadline for abstracts May 31 | Complete submissions due June 15 | Registration coming soon
RSD12-Amsterdam Setting
ESC’s three-day event will be held at Pakhuis de Zwijger, a former warehouse on the Piet Heinkade, opened in 2006 as an accessible, independent, safe public meeting place and state-of-the-art online environment. The Pakhuis de Zwijger Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to the future of daily life in the city and the country, is providing in-kind support for the venue and contributing to the planning and event management. The third day is a walk in the woods, where participants can get involved in deeper conversations and reflections while wandering through Dutch nature.
ESC will host the conference as a team of professors and senior researchers responsible for programming and planning the event.
Expertise Network Systemic Co-design
FOCUS: systemic co-design
The RSD12 call for contributions is now open and accepting submissions for papers, online workshops, and exhibits related to “co-design.”
Systemic design is a problem-solving approach that helps co-design projects understand the interconnected systems that contribute to a problem and develop interventions that address the root causes of the problem.
- Co-design can be used to engage stakeholders and end-users in the systemic design process. How can systemic design help ensure that solutions are more effective, equitable, and responsive to the needs and perspectives of those impacted by them?
- The combination of systemic design and co-design can help create more inclusive and equitable solutions that address the root causes of complex problems by involving a diverse group of people in the design process and examining the underlying systems that contribute to a problem. What co-design use cases demonstrate effective, sustainable, and responsive solutions that meet the needs of all communities involved?
RSD Examples
Aguirre Ulloa, M. (2020). Transforming Public Organizations into Co-designing Cultures. Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD9) Symposium. https://rsdsymposium.org/transforming-public-organizations-into-co-designing-cultures/
Barba, E. & Stewart, B. (2015). Co-design for Second-Order Effects and Institutional Change. Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD6) Symposium. https://rsdsymposium.org/co-design-for-second-order-effects-and-institutional-change/
Smeenk, W. (2022). A Systemic Co-Design Iceberg: A systemic perspective in the ever-evolving practice of empathic co-design. Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD11) Symposium. https://rsdsymposium.org/a-systemic-co-design-iceberg/
van Essen, A., Tromp, N., van der Lugt, R., Klatte, I & Hekkert, P. (2022) A Social-Systemic Perspective on Behaviour Change: A co-design case study. Proceedings of Relating Systems Thinking and Design (RSD11) Symposium. https://rsdsymposium.org/behaviour-change-co-design-case-study/
CONTACTS
Inholland University of Applied Sciences is primarily responsible for the program/event and financial management.
- Overall project management: Frank Evers, frank.evers@inholland.nl (ESC Program manager)
- Academic lead: Wina Smeenk, wina.smeenk@inholland.nl (ESC Chair)
- Program and event design: Bas van den Berg and Youetta Visser
- Communication and community, Emma van Dam (Inholland) emma.vandam@inholland.nl
- Event management team: Jessie van Sambeek
- Venue + Event Management: Pakhuis de Zwijger
PROGRAMME
The programme and schedule are subject to change.
Two parts
RSD12-Amsterdam will take place from Tuesday, October 10 to Wednesday, October 11, from 9.00 –17.00 u. (UTC+2/CET).
Each day is split into two parts.
- Morning: 09.00–12.00 u. (UTC+2/CET)
- Afternoon: 14.00–17.00 u. (UTC+2/CET)
Agenda
Welcome
Keynote speech
Panel discussion
Physical Workshop in subgroups
Collective reflections/endings plenary
17.00–18.00 u.
Online broadcast of authors presenting papers on participatory ecosystem work.

Four systems
Each part is dedicated to a societal transition, which we encounter as a system.
System 1: Educating in Times of Transitions
System 2: A Sustainable and Circular Society
System 3: A Healthy and Vital Citizenry
System 4: A Secure and Just Digital Life
Social
We are also planning meet-ups and social events.
- A de-conference gathering on day 3 (Wednesday, October 12) for systemic contemplative reflections
- End of day zone (17.00–18.00 u.) to join RSD12-online paper session, mix & mingle
- Book presentation in the evening

Fees
In development—subject to change.
Full conference attendance €200,00 | €150,00 early bird
One day ticket €125,00 | €100,00 early bird
Registration will be posted here when available.
About the Expertise Network Systemic Co-design (ESC)
RSD12-Amsterdam is an initiative of the ESC, a collaborative research network of professors and senior researchers. The group is co-designing the event and are are jointly responsible for planning and programming.
Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Professor Remko van der Lugt, Co-Design
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Professor Peter Troxler, Revolution in Manufacturing
Professor Anja Overdiek, Cybersocial Design
Professor Thomasz Jaskiewicz, Civic Prototyping
Northumbria University Amsterdam Campus
Professor Christine de Lille, Innovation Networks
Inholland University of Applied Sciences (Secretariat)
Professor Wina Smeenk (Chair), Societal Impact Design
Professor Jürg Thülke. Authentic Leadership
Professor Guido Stompff, Design Thinking
Dr Petra Cremers, Senior Researcher, Systemic Co-Design
The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS)
Professor Liliya Terzieva, Designing Value Networks
Dr Bas van den Berg, Senior Researcher Systemic Co-Design