DATE & TIME
30 September 2026, 11:00 – 12:30
ROOM
Peacock 1
TRACKS
TRACK 3: Living Labs for Inclusive Soci(et)al Engagement
Description
In this hands-on, playful workshop, we explore how to overcome barriers to digital inclusion among underserved communities. Starting from a digital health literacy use case, participants co-create solutions across sectors and countries. They explore strategies to bridge digital divides and build an inclusive digital future.
Agenda
| Time | Item |
|---|---|
| 11:00 – 11:05 |
Introduction (facilitator-led) Welcome and introduction to LiCalab, outlining the workshop topic and format. |
| 11:05 – 11:15 |
Icebreaker (participant activity) Participants use LEGO® bricks to build a model of themselves and share in small teams of ~5. |
| 11:15 – 11:20 |
Setting the scene (facilitator-led) Lessons learned from a digital health literacy co-creation project, illustrating real-world challenges in inclusive digital participation. |
| 11:20 – 12:10 |
Interactive co-creation session (participant teams & facilitator-guided) 1. Ideation sprint (10 min): Participants build as many ideas for inclusive digital services as possible — team competition to spark creativity. 2. Persona building (15 min): Each team selects an underserved group. Team members each build a LEGO® “persona” model representing that group’s digital needs and desires, then share persona stories within and across teams. 3. Solution prototyping & voting (25 min): Teams collaborate to create LEGO® models of inclusive digital services addressing their personas’ needs. Each team presents its solution in plenary. A quick voting exercise identifies the most inclusive ideas. |
| 12:10 – 12:30 |
Reflection & Takeaways (facilitator & participant activity) Facilitator shares practical guidelines on using LEGO® Serious Play® to address complex challenges. Participants reflect individually on what they learned — on both the topic and the method — and share how they could apply these co-creative approaches in their own contexts. |
Facilitators
Hilde Vandenhoudt
Project Manager & Researcher, LiCalab
Hilde Vandenhoudt
Project Manager & Researcher, LiCalabHilde Vandenhoudt, MD, MsC epidemiology, is project manager and researcher at LiCalab, a living and care lab at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium. LiCalab focuses on health technology and new collaborative models in health by applying user-centric research. Hilde has a vast experience in primary health care, integrated care and prevention, in sub-Saharan Africa and in Flanders and in participatory action research. Her current work is linked to (digital) health literacy and inclusion to enhance health and quality of life of citizens using a participatory approach.
Leen Broeckx
Panel Manager, LiCalab
Leen Broeckx
Panel Manager, LiCalabLeen holds a master’s degree in communication science and a master’s degree in Cultural Studies. In 2013, Leen joined the LiCalab team at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences as panel manager. Her role within the team is to manage and guide the panel of more than 350 citizens, care organisations and caregivers. She supervises the Living Lab activities: from recruitment, scenario writing, guiding group discussions and real life tests through the processing the results. Leen champions Human Centered Design and she strongly believes in the participatory approach to healthcare innovation. Throughout the years, she has continued to develop her skills in co-creation techniques, including Lego Serious Play.