We are pleased to announce that, as of November 1, Professor Michel van Dartel of the Situated Art and Design research group assumed a tenure-track position at CARADT. With his extensive background in both practice-based design research and museum culture, Michel brings invaluable expertise that will drive new growth and exploration for CARADT.
As professor of Situated Art and Design, Michel has fostered a “situated turn” in the fields of art and design, encouraging students and researchers to consider aesthetics, embodiment, and social context in all their work. His approach challenges the separation between artist, environment, and viewer by moving artistic practice out of the studio and into the real world. “My leadership style as a professor reflects how I work as a curator in the cultural sector,” Michel explains. “I introduce thematic frameworks that encourage more focused, specific ideas and proposals, but also demand that each project contributes to the group’s greater vision.” Under Michel’s leadership, the research group Situated Art and Design has grown into a dynamic community of interdisciplinary projects with an impact on the professional field, the classroom, and society at large.
Colleagues at CARADT highlight Michel’s strengths in driving academic progress and practical collaboration. Wouter Meys, CARADT’s manager, notes, “Michel’s structuring of research lines such as Embodied Technology and Situated Design has been essential to CARADT’s reach across practice, society, and education. His focus has strengthened CARADT’s impact not only in research but also in the broader profession and community.”
Sebastian Olma, Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries, reflects on Michel’s influential role at CARADT, “Working with Michel has been a great pleasure from the very beginning. As the director of V2_, he brought an invaluable perspective on contemporary art and design to CARADT. His excellent analytical capabilities and sense of organization have helped CARADT develop into a research center of regional, national, and international import. This is also reflected in the leadership roles he has taken on with SIA-NWO and the Professional Doctorate. His work has placed CARADT at the forefront of the HBO transition toward fully-fledged knowledge institutions. Learning from and working with Michel in this respect has put CARADT in a position from which we can support Avans’ Centres of Expertise in successfully following our lead.”
Sebastian continues, “Michel has been instrumental in introducing situated design to the Dutch discourse, significantly enriching the field of art and design education. His academic rigor, professional curiosity, and friendly openness have made him an invaluable part of the CARADT team. Over the years, Michel has become, in many ways, an intellectual partner whose input and support I would not want to miss. His appointment as a full-time professor is a token of appreciation for his great work over the past eight years. It is fantastic news for CARADT and Avans!”
Michel’s collaborative approach allowed him to build his research group. His mentorship has been transformative for researchers within CARADT. Antal Ruhl, a researcher in the Situated Art and Design group, shares, “Michel’s expertise and network have always been incredibly valuable in shaping my research. He has this unique ability to quickly identify connections you hadn’t considered—like when he related my work to artist Carsten Höller. Soon after, we were meeting Höller in Belgium, discussing our shared ideas, and this experience profoundly influenced my research trajectory.” Michel’s skill in fostering networks and bringing researchers together has created a collaborative atmosphere that enhances not only individual projects but also CARADT’s overarching research mission.
Michel’s role as mentor is similarly valued by researchers like Simone van den Broek, who credits his guidance as foundational in her transition from design student to active researcher: “His clear and constructive feedback has been essential in sharpening my research skills. Michel’s supportive communication style has made working with him an inspiring experience, where I feel genuinely heard and encouraged.” This approach has fostered an inclusive, dynamic environment at CARADT, one that promises to flourish even further with Michel in a full-time role.
Delfina Fantini van Ditmar, Professor Biodesign and More-than-human Perspectives, anticipates that Michel’s full-time presence will significantly impact CARADT’s research culture and inspire further interdisciplinary collaborations: “Michel’s expertise in museum leadership and situated art practices will bring an invaluable dimension to our academic community, one that will undoubtedly enrich our research and elevate our students’ experiences.”
Research Group: Situated Art, Design, and Technology
Alongside this news, CARADT is pleased to share that the Situated Art and Design research group will now be known as Situated Art, Design, and Technology. This new name reflects an expanded focus on embodied technology within society and the application of design methods that engage directly with user context and needs. With these updates, CARADT and Michel’s research team are poised to make further strides toward CARADT’s mission of bridging art, technology, and social impact—supporting the development of new research practices, fostering collaborative partnerships, and preparing students for impactful careers at the intersection of creativity, technology, and culture.
