Anita van Essen
Anita van Essen obtained her master's degree with distinction in Applied Communication Science at Wageningen University & Research. She also studied Communication and Multimedia Design at the Willem de Kooning Academy (WDKA) in Rotterdam and worked in Creative Industries.
After her studies at WDKA, Anita worked as a designer for various e-learning projects. During her master’s studies she conducted research into the role of entertainment-education as a persuasive tool in the prevention of alcohol abuse. She subsequently did research into the use of behavioural science in designing publicity campaigns for the Public Information and Communications Service (DPC) of the Ministry of General Affairs.
Anita specialises in research regarding the role of design in behavioural change. She is passionate about exploring ways in which scientific research can be combined with creative processes. Her practice-based research therefore includes concrete interventions or methods with which designers (such as CASI) are able to incorporate behavioural insights in their practice.
Fields of expertise
- Designs for behavioural change
- Human-Centred Design (HCD)
Publications
- Using a co-design approach to create tools to facilitate physical activity in children with physical disabilities
- Are agile design approaches useful in designing for health? A case study
- Co-designing behaviour change prototypes with paediatric physical therapists Integrating insights on behaviour and social systems in a participatory design process
