Name Responsible Activity "Digital Solutions Leu" "Patrick De Mazière" "CENTRE OF EXPERTISE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOCUSES THE KNOW-HOW ON IT & TECHNOLOGY WITH THE PURPOSE OF INNOVATION-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT IN, FOR INSTANCE, THE CARE SECTOR, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT TARGET GROUP FOR THIS CENTRE OF EXPERTISE. Digital Solutions considers it its mission to Assimilate emerging social and technological evolutions in computing and digitisation and to visualise socially relevant application domains with a view to employability. Support the digital transformation in our companies and society in a practical and sustainable way in order to embed wealth creation In addition to its broad technical background, this expertise unit specialises in the following lines of focus: Behaviour-Driven Development: methods for incorporating customer requirements into the software development process from the start, so that the end product meets the customer's requirements and functionalities as well as possible. Contact: Elke Steegmans. Data & AI (Machine Learning, Data Engineering, ...) & Internet of Everything (IoE): ranging from electronic data capture (including data acquisition) and filtering, to data/text mining (NLP included) and decision trees, to visualisation of the results so non-specialists can also easily interpret the data. The results obtained can also be added to IoE devices. Contact: Danny Volkaerts. Technology Enhanced Care: not only telecare or telemedicine, but also specific electric or electronic design for the benefit of people with disabilities, or data/AI driven (health)care or VR/AR applications to support revalidation and training in (health)care. Contact: Patrick De Mazière. Technology Enhanced Learning: the development and/or application of supporting services like e-portfolios or teaching IT courses to people with disabilities or minorities. Contact: Sebastiaan Jans. XPLab (VR / AR / Holography / Gamification): the application of this technology on domains such as (health)care, marketing, AI, and others. This line of focus is shared with the centre of expertise Smart Organisations. Contact: Dave Seré." "Expertise Centre for Digital Media" "Frank VAN REETH" "The EDM performs research in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with a mind for possible applications in industry or society.The core competence areas of EDM are:Visual Computing, with special attention to image and video based visualization, modeling, rendering and animationHuman-Computer Interaction (HCI), investigating multi-modal interaction in 3D virtual environments, context-sensitive and adaptive user interfaces, interactive collaborative workspaces, model-based user interfaces and finally user-centered software engineering;Multimedia networking, situated mainly in networked virtual environments, large scale virtual communities and interactive multimedia systems.The EDM participates in iMinds, the Flemish Strategic Research Centre for ICT." "Institute for Media Studies" "Baldwin Van Gorp" "The Institute for Media Studies (IMS) strives for international excellence in the research fields of both media and communication. The IMS produces innovative and critical scientific research with a focus on four domains:Journalism & NewsStrategic CommunicationHuman-Computer InteractionMedia CultureIn addition, the IMS employs its research expertise to provide quality education, to participate in academic and social debate, and to inspire (inter)national policy." "ICT & Software Engineering" "Companies keen to innovate can draw on Sirris's 60 years and more of expertise in five core technological domains. We have 140 engineers, scientists and technicians exploring the possibilities created by innovative technologies. Our winning combination of the right experts, high-tech infrastructure for research, and testing and an extensive network of partners can open up the way to innovation for your company, too." "Center for European Philosophy" "Walter Van Herck" "Founded in 2007, the Center for European Philosophy (previous Center for Philosophy of Culture) originates from the fusion of three former research groups: the Center for Metaphysics and Culture, the Center for Philosophy of Religion, and the Center for Philosophy of Art & Literature. Its main research interest is a philosophical reflection on the relation between reason and culture in modern and contemporary society. Philosophy is involved in the transformation processes of modernity: it not only reflects on the transformation processes of modern culture in order to elucidate their philosophical presuppositions, but it has been transformed itself in the wake of the vicissitudes of modern culture and society. The common research aim is therefore not only to contribute to the reflection on the philosophical presuppositions of modern culture and its transformations, but also to clarify the role and relevance of modern culture for the various transformations of philosophy itself. With these common aims, the Center intends to develop its research in the field of philosophy of culture which has been considered as a distinct discipline of philosophy since the end of the 19th century. In accordance with its origins, the Center's research interest is being elaborated within a threefold perspective. A first perspective is engaged with criticism of metaphysics and post metaphysical thought. It focuses on the gradual disappearance of metaphysics and its reform(ulation)s in western culture. In particular it considers the relation between the rise and specific character of modern culture and 'the end of metaphysics'. A second perspective concerns criticism of religion and secularization. From the viewpoint of philosophy of religion, the research of the Center concentrates on the (diminishing) role of Christianity in western culture, in particular on the relation between the rise and specific character of modernity and the process of secularization. And thirdly, from the perspective of philosophy of art and literature, the research of the Center focuses on criticism of representation, particularly in relation to the rise of modernism which has led to a crisis of classical representation. Art is even paradigmatic for this crisis, since the decay of the aesthetic ideal of imitation shows the limits of philosophical rationality. This area of tension between reason and (modernist) art is being examined in literature and visual arts. The center has a distinctive profile not only in terms of its common themes, but also regarding its approach. This approach implies a historical and multidisciplinary point of view and a predominant affiliation to the continental tradition of philosophy. In line with this orientation, the Center's research interests also cover central issues in Classical Philosophy, German and British idealism, Phenomenology, Hermeneutics and Ontology." "Antwerp Systems and software Modelling (AnSyMo)" "Hans Vangheluwe" "Our world and society are shaped and governed by systems and software. Almost all devices, machines and artifacts surrounding us incorporate software to some extent. Additionally, the numerous organizations, businesses and enterprises we encounter on a daily basis could not function without software. Examples of software systems are numerous: worldwide web applications and desktop software but also embedded systems like pacemakers, cell phones, train control systems, and automotive components. AnSyMo is a research group investigating foundations, techniques, methods and tools for the design, analysis and maintenance of such software-intensive systems. The nature of these systems, however, has changed considerably in the last few years. Firstly, the availability of more computational resources, including parallel computation and interactive behavior has enabled one to tackle ever more complex applications. Secondly, the need to consider interactions of software with physical components has led to the study of hybrid systems, adding even more complexity. Finally, the view that a software system is a static entity has given way to the view that software needs evolve, i.e., that changes in requirements or platforms can be accommodated easily. RESEARCH THEMES MODELS One way to tackle the increased complexity of systems is to represent all knowledge about their structure and behaviour explicitly in the form of models. This allows for rigorous reasoning and enables automated manipulation. Models should be constructed at the most appropriate level(s) of abstration and using the most appropriate language(s). Consequently, we design new techniques and build tools for comparing these models, checking their consistency, transforming them into one another, simulating them efficiently, etc. Domain-specific modelling languages are of particular interest as they help bridge the gap between domain and solution. LANGUAGES While some models only contain static, structural information, an important class of models describes systems (or system components), which are dynamic. Dynamic should be understood in the sense that they exhibit behavior. This is the realm of programming languages in the traditional sense, but also of formalisms such as Petri nets or Statecharts. We contribute to recent work concerning modularity concepts (such as aspects), their semantics and implementation. Ideally these concepts can serve as a tool to turn a model-based system description into a functioning program. EVOLUTION The model centric view for tackling complexity, may suggest that software systems should be constructed like engineering products: e.g., like cars and bridges. Software systems however should be seen as living and evolving artifacts, designed, developed and maintained by people. Consequently, it is crucial to have high-level, easy-to-modify models in all stages of the lifetime of a software system. We investigate how the availability of models (especially featuring new modularity concepts) may be used to improve the maintainability and evolvability of software systems. RESOURCES The availability of more but smaller computational devices and the interaction with (physically) external system components has led to the study of hybrid systems. These systems typically consist of distributed components with limited resources; hence computation should be scheduled carefully. We study how models (and simulations thereof) can be used for the efficient management of resources such as memory, time and energy. These four research themes (models, languages, evolution and resources) are not investigated in isolation. Rather we envision them as mutually reinforcing themes so that the whole becomes more than the sum of the parts." Management "Sascha Albers" "The research is situated in the domain of organisation studies and strategic management, with a focus on understanding the functioning and effectiveness of organisations. All this is being analysed from different perspectives: strategy and organisation theory, human resource management, organisational psychology, organizational ecology, industrial organization, communication sciences, and more. Both in terms of theories applied and people employed, the Department stimulates multi-disciplinarity. This is also reflected in the topical breadth of research interests. Examples of current research themes are stress and well-being, career management, managerial decision-making, competitive processes and market dynamics, cooperation in organisations, top management team composition, strategic innovation in B2B-markets, professional communication and digital media. With the arrival of new staff in the context of the Odysseus initiative (see below), this range of topics will be further expanded to higher level of analyses, including cities, regions and countries. In the field of organisation studies the following topics are representative: - Top management team composition and diversity: functioning, performance impact and relation to strategy; - Mobility of professionals, entry/exit in teams and organisations, and the effect on performance; - Study of organisational diversity in different contexts, in terms of both the antecedents and consequences, and at different levels of analysis; - Legitimacy of new organisational forms, and its relation to form emergence and industry evolution. In the field of strategy the following topics are representative: - Developing capabilities through networks; - Strategy innovation in business markets; - Determinants of growth in organisations and entrepreneurship; - Purchasing and market strategy. In the field of strategic decision-making, the following topics are representative: - The role of cognition and emotion on control perception and strategic decision; - Personality influences on cooperation and decision-making; - Strategy-selection in social dilemma's; - Strategic decision-making for cities, and for public and cultural entities. In the field of human resources, the following topics are representative: - Diversity management, and High Potential Management Development; - HRM themes in diverse contexts, focusing on such issues as stress, competence management, work design and coaching; - Competence management. In the field of business communication the following topics are representative - Writing and digital media; - Cognitive aspects of writing processes in professional settings; - Determinants of writing style in business and technical communication." MAXlab "The research platform MAXlab focuses on the interaction between art and digital technology. The objective is twofold. On the one hand, it examines how digital techniques can expand the toolbox of the artist. In various projects, workshops, bachelor and master classes these tools are developed and implemented through experiments. On the other hand, MAXlab confirms the artist in the role of observer who reflects through the art practice on the rapidly evolving technology and the social and social transformation that goes with it. The polarization that the digital revolution apparently inevitably entails - the technophiles versus the technophobes - demands a nuanced analysis and a critical attitude. Research projects, lectures and exhibitions should shape this attitude. MAXlab aims to promote the integration of digital techniques within classical study programs and to give new art forms such as computer-generated art, social media art and virtual reality a place within the Academy. This creates a breeding ground where artists are given the opportunity to manipulate digital technology. The better the artist succeeds in this, the more invisible the technology becomes. Does the artist keep the control? Or does the technology - partly or otherwise - get a say in the creation process? And what does this say about the relationship between art and technology, society and technology?" "Cultural Studies Research Group" "Demmy Verbeke" "The Research Group Cultural Studies is one of the six primary research groups that form part of the Research Unit Literary Studies at KU Leuven." "Department of Architecture" "Bruno De MeulderRajesh Heynickx" "The Department of Architecture consists of 3 sections: Architecture and Society; Architecture and Design; Architectural Engineering.DESIGN TEAM FOR URBAN PROJECTS (M. Smets) Reappropriation of urban voids (industrial fringes, abandoned areas, outworn infrastructures): urban design, mobility studies and project management. Case-studies for Leuven (B) (Railway area - surroundings inner dock- academic hospital, site); Rouen (F) (former harbour site); Genova (I) (former steel plant - surroundings airport); Antwerp (B) (surroundings TGV-Tailwy Station) PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT (L. Albrechts) Interrelation between spatial organisation, societal structure and mobility, research and design related to central and regional planning problems, structure plans (central and provincial level), urban networks, impact analyses, models for enhancing public involvements, roles of planning and planners. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE (K. De Jonge, L. Verpoest) * History of architecture in the Low Countries (1450-1700) within a European context; * 18th century architecture in the Low Countries and its relation with France; * Engineering in Belgium (1750-1830); * The history of the Gothic Revival Movement in Belgium (architecture and society) before 1914; * Conservation of Modern Movement architecture in Belgium, 1918- 1958. ARCHITECTURAL THEORY (A. Loeckx, H. Heynen, J. Schreurs, B. De Meulder) * Modernity, tradition and contemporary urbanity. * Theoretical reflection on the post-industrial condition and its effects on the city and on architecture. * Fieldwork- and project-based approach focussing on urban analysis and morphotypology (housing, nex urban typologies, urban tissues). * Anthropology of urban dwelling practices. * Colonial architecture and planning in Belgian Congo. CAAD  & DESIGN METHODOLOGY (H. Neuckermans) * Software development for CAAD in the early stage of decision: object-oriented modelling; daylight and sunshine design; case-based reasoning; speech-interface for CAAD. * Digital modelling of the built environment a.o. digital historical reconstruction of the city centre of Leuven from 1400 till today. COST MODELLING OF BUILDINGS (F. De troyer) * Cost models for the early design stages; * Life cycle costing; * Investment evaluation; * Quality evaluation and specifications. HEALTH FACILITIES DESIGN (J. Delrue) * Hospitals for the Third World; * Hospitals for China; * The hospital for the next decade; * Pre-engineering in hospitals. ARCHITECTURE FOR AGING (J. Delrue) * Life-time housing; * New housing typology for the aged. RATIONALISATION OF CONSTRUCTION (J. Delrue, F. De Troyer) * Open system building; * Modular dimensional coordination."