Kaat Theelen, Designer-Researcher

In addition to being a youth healthcare physician, design-oriented researcher, and outdoor learning youth worker, Kaat is, above all, endlessly curious. Her passion for sustainability and social impact led her, after a master’s degree in medicine, down an adventurous multidisciplinary path: from studying "Design for Impact" at LUCA School of Arts, to research on mental health in individuals with a rare genetic disorder, and even into the Swedish forests, where she specialized in outdoor learning.  

In every role, Kaat values listening and creating together. Her research is inspired by participatory action research and draws on design and systemic approaches. She combines scientific expertise with a co-creative perspective, experimenting with playful methods to give less-heard voices space.  

op gelijke hoogte is a design research project on the wellbeing of parents and young children, also known as infant mental health. Based on our practical experience, we see that many families only seek help when difficulties have become more serious. Together with parents, young children, and healthcare professionals, we explore how we could make the topic of infant mental health more accessible and support young families earlier.  

As a starting point, we are developing a play and learning object that sits on the floor, made of fabric and other soft materials. We use context mapping and co-creative methods to develop it, improving it step by step with parents, children, and professionals. Parents and children explore this object together, on the same level, and share the experience. They discover what wellbeing feels like for both and enjoy a moment that strengthens their bond. 

We also look beyond the individual family from a systemic perspective: what role can healthcare workers and primary care organizations play in supporting families earlier?