Research

Waag organises its research labs in four research groups: Code, Life, Make and Learn. Code cracks open the black box of engineering, Life empowers people and nature in their living environment, Make touches on making-practices and materials and Learn looks into our skills and attitudes towards learning. The perspectives of the labs and groups are all intertwined and collectively form our research practice. Ultimately, Waag’s research is oriented towards having a positive, lasting effect on our societies.

The labs use research methods to empower as many people as possible to help design our future. We call this Public Research.

Labs

Smart Citizens
life

Smart Citizens Lab

The Smart Citizens Lab helps citizens appropriate the internet of things to map out and improve their living environments.

T-Factor wandeling Amsterdam Science Park
life

Urban Ecology Lab

The Urban Ecology Lab researches and creates a new perspective on urban development involving living nature.

Expeditie: toekomst - Toekomstwandeling
code

Commons Lab

The Commons Lab researches and promotes the commons: shared resources, managed by a community.

Screenshot uit de Intro video Staat van het internet 2021
code

Future Internet Lab

The Future Internet Lab questions the power of big tech and researches alternatives.

MuseumCamp 2021 Amsterdam by Waag, Amsterdam Museum, Allard Pierson
learn

Future Heritage Lab

The Future Heritage Lab focuses on heritage as an entity that is in constant flux, its place in contemporary debates, and the role of technology.

Maker education at Maakplaats 021
learn

Maker Education Lab

The Maker Education Lab focuses on contemporary and new forms of learning. Maker education enables people to learn by doing.

Fablab Waag
make

FabLab

The Fablab (Fabrication Laboratory) at Waag offers instruments and machines for digital fabrication, and an international education trajectory.

Fab Academy 2022 by Anna Trap
make

Open Design Lab

The Open Design Lab makes innovation in the make and design industry transparant and accessible for artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

GMO Wetlab DIY dna modification
make

Open Wetlab

The Open Wetlab researches biotechnologies and their impact on ecology and society. A leading place for bio-art, biodesign and do-it-together biology.

Brain T., Sjölén B., Oliver J., Asunder: Wadden Islands Netherlands, 2020
make

Space Lab

By gaining insight into our imagery of the Earth, societies can become more inclusive and competent in the field of environmental issues.

TextileLab Amsterdam
make

TextileLab

The TextileLab bridges the gap between textiles and technology and brings innovation to the slowly changing fashion industry.