The VITALITY! programme of Medical Delta convened from 31 October and 1 November 2013 a two day workshop at the Delft Art Centre to facilitate the conception of trans-disciplinary project concepts for the impending new European Grant mechanisms. The workshop was opened by Professor Huib Pols, Rector of Erasmus University. During these two days 35 participants of the Medical Delta academic centers as well as representatives of SME’s took part in an orchestrated co-creation process after having been inspired by the needs of society and the opportunities of the application of cutting edge science.
Fleshed out proposals were presented three weeks later to a panel consisting of Professor P. Hogendoorn, Dean of LUMC; Professor E. Voûte, Dean of Industrial Design; Professor R. Westendorp, Medical Delta Vitality Programme Director and Mr J. Wiersinga of the company Silverfit. The event was judged by the participants to be very productive and successful, they particularly valued the opportunity to network across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
The focus on vitality (defined as: getting ambitions and goals which fit the stage of life of the individual and activities towards achieving these) meant that the emphasis of the workshop was to achieve consumer-centric proposals aligned to the objectives of the new European programmes building on the complementary scientific competencies present. The participants had been selected with this aim in mind. The programme consisted of short pitches from the participating scientists of divers disciplines to inspire the discussion sessions. This comprised of contributions of bio-medical sciences, industrial design, ICT and health, health and cognitive psychology,
health economics and in addition, information was presented on the new European programmes and how to forge academic-private partnerships productively.
The five project concepts that were presented to the panel had the following emphasis:
– ‘Personalised’ cancer diagnosis in particular for older patients and
tailored decision making
– Virtual reality for engagement of lonely older citizens
– Self management of joint conditions
– Evidence-based integrated primary care
– History book/online story telling
For more information, please contact Frans van der Ouderaa (vanderouderaa@leydenacademy.nl) or Lonneke Baas (Lonneke.baas@tudelft.nl).