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Imme Ruarus, Web editor Waag, Jimena Gauna, 2021.

Imme RuarusSmart Citizens Lab Lead

Imme Ruarus is the lead of Waag's Smart Citizens Lab. She researches how citizens can use technology to take ownership of their living environments. She also focuses on new forms of collaboration between government and citizens. As lad lead, she defines the research lab's strategy in line with social issues around digitalisation, democratising technology and participation. 

Imme obtained her master Sustainable Development at the University of Uppsala. Previously, she worked at an international sustainable trade organisation, focussing on ecological and social impact. 

Labs

Current projects

Human Values for Smarter Cities

Beveiligingscamera in de stad
Smart Citizens Lab
In Human Values for Smarter Cities, Waag Futurelab investigates the process of procurement when applying smart city technology in public spaces.

Imagining public connectivity

FabLearn onderwijsconferentie
Smart Citizens Lab
The lack of meaningful imaginaries about 5G and the knowledge concentration within industries are catalysts of public distrust. We aim to create a shared knowledge base among citizens and governments to include citizens in official local decision-making processes around 5G.

Public Civil Cooperation

expeditie toekomst
Smart Citizens Lab
In this project, Waag investigates new knowledge and process models, which support sustainable cooperation between citizens and governments.

Thermo-staat

Thermo-staat
Smart Citizens Lab
Together with citizens, investigative journalists and scientists, Waag research heat stress in the Netherlands.

Tipping the Balance

opening planet b
Smart Citizens Lab
The aim of Tipping the Balance is to investigate which factors and strategies play a role in encouraging citizens to make healthier food choices.

Healthy life, healthy microbiome

Waag_Microbiome Center_Gezond leven
Smart Citizens Lab
Waag and the Microbiome Center are joining forces to research how technological solutions contributing to more control for patients in diseases related to their microbiome.

Shared Cities, Smart Citizens

Data visualisation - data graphics
Smart Citizens Lab
This project examines the conditions for building a future smart city. Public values and the rights and needs of citizens play a central role.

NWA Route Smart Liveable Cities

NWA route Smart Liveable Cities
Smart Citizens Lab
Waag organises the route management around public programmes relating to ‘Smart, liveable cities’, aiming to better connect science with society.

Hollandse Luchten

Woman with sensor
Smart Citizens Lab
Hollandse Luchten is a citizens science project where we involve citizens in measuring air quality in their environment in the Province of North Holland.