During the blazing summer days, the T4T PhD candidates and principal investigators gathered in Eindhoven for this year’s Spring School — and just like the weather, the energy was on fire!
We kicked things off with a dynamic workshop on presentation skills by Irene Muñoz Chandia. From steady posture and relaxed breathing to crystal-clear pronunciation, we explored creative (and slightly quirky!) tools like bottles, pipes, and corks to master our delivery. Who knew everyday objects could be such great speaking coaches? We wrapped up the session by pitching our own projects, putting our new skills into action.
In the afternoon, we visited the Innovation Space at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). We were genuinely inspired by the student-led projects that blended tech and creativity with passion and purpose. The day ended with a round of mini golf and a delicious dinner at Paviljoen Genneper Parken — perfect for unwinding and connecting.
Day two was all about human factors in design. In the morning, Marijke Melles led a workshop on organizational human factors. Then we dove into more specific domains: Renate de Bruin guided us through the world of physical human factors, while Maarten Wijntjes took us into cognitive human factors. The hands-on activities and thought-provoking discussions encouraged us to think critically about design choices in our own projects. We capped off the day with a mouthwatering BBQ dinner at Cyklist — great food, great vibes!
On our final day, Chiara Treglia introduced us to design thinking and systems thinking — showing us how the same goal can be tackled from different angles. We also got a sneak peek of the upcoming MOOC on patient journey mapping, thanks to Armagan Albayrak. It’s kicking off in September, and we’re excited to see how it will shape our projects.
After lunch, we soaked in the last moments together at a cozy café in the heart of Eindhoven. While we said our goodbyes, one thing was clear: this spring school has not only fueled our minds but also brought us closer as a community. Until next time!
