Thomas van Arkel

Background

About Thomas van Arkel

I help Dutch public organisations transform their organisational practices to foster caring approaches to public service delivery for both beneficiaries as well as professionals working within public organisations. As a PhD researcher and changemaker at TU Delft's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, I investigate how design approaches travel into public sector contexts. My work focuses on the impact, implementation and institutionalisation of social design interventions, bridging design's transformative potential with practical realisation in complex organisational settings. My approach is impact-driven and grounded in close collaboration with design practitioners and organisations in the Dutch creative industry (such as CLICKNL, de Publieke Ontwerppraktijk, Dutch Design Foundation, and Social Design Showdown). My work operates at the interface between theory and practice, combining theoretical insights with hands-on collaboration. My research takes a critical stance but always aims to support design practice in becoming more effective. Recent contributions include research on implementation practices in public design collaborations, to be published in the International Journal of Design. I have developed frameworks for identifying key design competencies when addressing societal challenges, and led changemaking projects for organisations like UWV. Why reach out to me? I specialise in the complex space where design meets institutional change. Whether you are a design practitioner seeking enhanced impact in public sector contexts, a public organisation exploring design approaches, or a changemaker interested in institutionalisation processes, I bring rigorous academic insight and practical experience from real-world design collaborations. My work ultimately aims to support designers and public professionals in creating meaningful, sustainable change that addresses our most pressing societal challenges. Connect with me to discuss design for societal transformation, implementation strategies, or collaborative research opportunities.