Ethical Design
This SAP is hosted by the bachelor program Devine (digital design & development) at Howest. We welcome you at our creative design campus The Budafactory in the city Kortrijk.
GOAL
This SAP course aims to make creative makers and thinkers in various fields aware of the ethical decisions they often make unconsciously. Through a mix of theory, case studies, guest lectures and workshops, you will explore the basics of ethics and assess the implications within your work and its societal context.
Recognising these ethical challenges is the first step. The second is asking critical questions that lead to discussions and debate and thus broaden the ethical mindset of everyone. The course further aims for active participation through interventions in the public space: Ethics mixed with Activism!
THE PROGRAMME
The course provides you with a theoretical background to form your own moral frameworks and make informed, ethical decisions in your work.
Additionally, the course addresses the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in design and the growing importance of data privacy. You explore the ethical considerations surrounding AI systems, algorithmic bias and privacy. You learn how to make informed decisions in the face of these emerging technologies.
As a final topic you learn to evaluate the sustainability and inclusiveness of concepts. And how you can evolve from a human centered design mindset to a ‘planet centered designer’.
In the face to face week we take the learned concepts and insights and work towards a public intervention. A nudging of ethics in the common space of Kortrijk. The topics will be provided by regional stakeholders. These topics will be researched through design where experimentation and iteration is part of the process.
This SAP is organised by
Howest - NHL Stenden - FHV Vorarlberg
16th of February 2026 to 4th of April 2026
English
To be defined by each Home Institution.
In general terms, most students will have this RUN-EU SAP certified in the Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition
Students in a Design, Art, Communication or IT oriented bachelor or Master.
Application for this product is closed.
Programme at a glance
- Challenging workshops & research
- Guestlectures
- Public space interventions
- Presentations
- Exploring the city and the region and social events.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Short Advanced Programme, learners will be able to:
The student defines the philosophical and psychological principles that impact the design process.
The student formulates the ideas of planet centered design thinking
The student applies an inclusive mindset during the creation process
The student applies methodologies of research through design
The student uses international media and literature to expand and sustain their insights in an intercultural context.
The student formulates and communicates their opinion on international social and/or political issues in a clear and convincing manner.
The student works in an interdisciplinary and multicultural team with effective methods for teamwork
Selection criteria
Selection will be based on: compliant to the prerequisites, order of submission, motivation and a balanced representation of the RUN-EU member institutions.
The total number of participants to be selected is 40
Involved organisations and persons
Howest University of Applied Sciences
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Ellen De Rycke (Instructor)
- Geert Hofman (Instructor)
- Giliam Antonie Ganzevles (Instructor)
- Jynse Cremers (Lead Instructor)
- Kaat Clinckemaillie (Instructor)
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Marc Apon (Instructor)
- Tjerk Dijkstra (Instructor)
Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Sarah Schlatter (Instructor)
