About us

imec-mict-UGent is an interdisciplinary research group at the department of Communication Sciences and the department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design at Ghent University and part of the digital research institute imec.

Our mission

Empowering people in a digitizing society

We gain insights in human behaviour
by developing new methods, conceptual approaches and future technologies
inspiring people, organisations and policymakers to create a more sustainable society.

Our research expertise

We study the interactions between people, society and technology by leveraging on state-of-the art methodological innovation to grasp the attitudinal, behavioral as well as cognitive dimensions of the 'homo digitalis'. We deliver clear insights in users' (online/offline) behaviours, needs and wishes in a digitizing society. We believe in interdisciplinary and collaborative research in which these insights are a key differentiator for user-centric development of more empowering interfaces.

Building bridges between technology, people and society

1) Interactions

We design state-of-the art methods, using our research labs and prototypes for real-life testing, focusing on observation, co-creation and interaction design, to optimize your human-technology interactions.

2) Impact

We use theoretical frameworks from social sciences for evidence-based results, focusing on motivational, behavioral change and experience research, to maximize your effectiveness and adoption.

3) Insights

We evaluate and expose tension fields between data, privacy and ethics at governmental and industrial level, to advice your policy and decision makers.

Our interdisciplinary DNA

imec-mict-UGent is affiliated with imec and the Department of Communication Sciences of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at the one hand and with the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Ghent University on the other hand.

The research group is based in De Krook, the epicenter of digital media innovation in Flanders. The architectural hotspot is a bustling meeting place between science, digital technology, entrepreneurship, media, culture and arts.

imec-mict-ugent is taking a central role in the innovation process between citizens, government, research institutes, NGOs and the industry

Our services

imec-mict-UGent relies on a unique and broad diversity of methodological expertise. Main differentiators in that methodological approach are its interdisciplinarity and its user-centric innovation approach.

Have a closer look at our services.

Looking for a specific contact or expertise? Check our team page.