RESEARCH PROJECT

THEMA: Planetary Health

Project Partner: Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW/IPH), Digital Health Design Living Lab (DHDLL/ZHdK)

Planetary health examines and highlights how closely human health is linked to the health of our planet.

Healthcare professionals in particular would be in a position to communicate this link in a highly individual and effective manner in their everyday practice. But how can future health practitioners be empowered to do this, and how can teaching staff acquire the necessary skills?

At the Digital Health Design Living Lab of the Zurich University of the Arts (DHDLL/ZHdK) at the Institute of Public Health of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW/IPH), a new co-creative and participatory approach is being developed for students in health professions: planetary health is brought to life in their studies.
Students in healthcare professions not only learn about sustainability – they actively help to shape it. In innovative teaching formats embedded in real-life environments, they work together with partners from the field to develop concrete solutions for a healthy and sustainable future.

As an external research associate, I bring a design-based perspective to the project. My workshops explore the needs of students and their teachers, focusing on practical application. I facilitate and coach interprofessional dialogue and promote innovative and user-oriented solution finding.

„Beate Woehrle manages to bridge the gap between design and applied sciences with remarkable ease. She conducts her workshops on an equal footing, keeping an open mind but always arriving at a clear and inspiring conclusion to the question at hand.“
Prof. Dr. Andrea Glaessel, MPH, MAE, MSc Neuroreha – ZHAW Gesundheit, Institut für Public Health