Britt Pellens, Design Researcher and HOMEDEM Project Manager

Britt Pellens is a design researcher at LUCA School of Arts, focusing on impactful design interventions within the context of the end-of-life. Through her PhD research (2026–2030), Britt explores the role of design in facilitating meaningful interactions when the end of life is near. Her work investigates how design interventions, objects, and rituals can support feelings of connectedness and meaningfulness during the palliative stage. Britt focuses on material explorations and participatory methods to unravel the articulation of existential feelings, moving beyond verbal encounters. This work is deeply informed by her time as a volunteer in palliative home care, where she seeks to learn from the everyday realities that a life-limiting illness evokes.

With a background in architecture and urbanism (University of Antwerp), Britt later transitioned into Space and Service Design at Thomas More University. This multidisciplinary path allows her to bridge spatial design with a relational and empathetic practice, an approach reflected in her work on an inclusive museum toolkit for people with intellectual disabilities, which was nominated for the 2022 New European Bauhaus "Rising Star" prize.

Britt also coordinates the European-funded Marie-Curie doctoral network ‘HOMEDEM’ (2022–2026) and co-teaches the Master elective ‘Care in Crisis,’ which focuses on design interventions within the context of palliative care.