Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Sam Edens is a design researcher with a deep love for biodesign and materials. Sam combines her background in design and philosophy with a curious and analytical approach and develops education that focuses on inclusive ecological perspectives on technology-driven transitions. Besides researching circular and biobased materials, Sam coordinates the Biomaterials Studio: a community lab at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences where students, teachers and researchers work with biobased and living materials.

Charlie Mulholland is a long-time educator with over two decades of experience in the commercial world, Charlie was instrumental in creating one of The Netherlands’ first digital design bachelor courses at Willem de Kooning Academy’s Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD). Charlie has been teaching at AUAS for 18+ years, including courses in Marketing, User Centred Design, Design Research, and Design Ethics, as well as doing project coaching, and developing and running minors (electives) in Design Thinking and Doing, and Speculative Design. Additionally, Charlie draws on his Master’s in philosophy and prior experience as a European Marketing Manager for Sony’s portable audio products.

Marije de Haas is a designer, researcher, and teacher. After working in industry for a long time, running a multi-media agency in London (UK), Marije decided to see if she could use design for non-commercial purposes and rolled into teaching and researching somehow, first with a Design Exploration Centre in the wilderness of the North of Sweden, followed by a stint working at Umeå Institute of Design as a designer and teacher, and continued with a PhD at Loughborough university looking at how design can work with ethical dilemmas. Her passion lies in exploring how design can help create a better future, particularly in the face of complex and uncertain challenges. Despite the difficulties inherent in tackling these wicked problems, she remains optimistic and driven to affect positive change.