ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø

earned her PhD on July 2, 2026, at the Department of Industrial Design at Eindhoven University of Technology. Her research, titled ‘Design for Collective Action’, explores how designers can support community driven initiatives in meaningful ways.

Across cities and neighborhoods, residents are increasingly joining forces to improve their surroundings. Klerks shows how designers can play a crucial role in helping these collective efforts succeed, especially when traditional institutions fall short.

Shared goals
Community initiatives often emerge when local challenges remain unresolved or when residents see opportunities to improve livability, sustainability, or social cohesion. From maintaining shared green spaces to organizing local energy solutions, these initiatives require coordination, trust, and structure.

Klerks highlights that designers are becoming active contributors in shaping these efforts. Rather than focusing solely on products or services, they help people align goals, facilitate collaboration, and navigate complex social contexts.

Hidden dynamics
Through five qualitative studies, Klerks examined how design unfolds within community initiatives. Her research reveals that these processes are continuously influenced by often complex dynamics, such as social relations, trust, ownership and contextual changes.

She demonstrates that designers must adapt continuously, balancing structure with flexibility while responding to the needs and motivations of diverse participants. This makes their role less defined but more responsive and socially embedded.

Guiding model
A key outcome of the research is the Design for Collective Action model. Developed within the ID group, this model captures the responsibilities, tasks and types of engagement of designers as well as practices through which they integrate these elements in design processes that shape how designers contribute to collective efforts.

The model provides insight into how designers can support communities without taking control, helping maintain local ownership while guiding progress. It offers practical direction for professionals working in urban development, social innovation, and participatory design.

Real challenges
Entrepreneurs and public organizations are increasingly dealing with complex societal challenges that cannot be solved alone. Whether it involves circular economy initiatives, neighborhood resilience, or inclusive public spaces, collaboration is essential.

Klerks findings illustrate how thoughtful design practices can support long term community engagement and sustainable local change.

Growing movement
This research contributes to a broader shift toward participatory approaches in city making. By clarifying the role of designers in collective action, Klerks provides a shared understanding that can strengthen future initiatives and contributes to a new direction for design.

Her work supports professionals and communities who are looking for new ways to organize, collaborate, and create meaningful change in their local environments.

Gwen Klerks defended her thesis on July 2, 2026. It is a collaborative degree, in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney.
Title of the thesis:
Supervisors: Ben Schouten, and