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Jonge vrouw bezoekt de tentoonstelling ‘Public Matter(s): Design & Democratie’.
© © Design Museum Gent

Experience

Science Day

Back to the Drawing Board: How Our Democracy Is Designed

Have you ever stopped to think that our democracy is designed?

During Science Day, join the Hannah Arendt Institute to explore our opening exhibition, Public Matter(s): Design and Democracy, from a surprising scientific perspective.

It is not just ballot papers and parliamentary buildings that are designed, but also the agreements and rules on which our democracy rests.

Four experts in political science, constitutional law, history and social sciences will each select one work from the exhibition. During a series of scientific Mini Talks, they will take you to their chosen work in the exhibition for a brief reflection.

Through their eyes, you will discover how the building blocks of our democracy fit together, how they work and where they sometimes falter.

In the afternoon, we will take this idea further during the panel discussion Who Fits into the Design? Because if our democracy is a design, who was it designed for? Who is given the space to participate, and who risks being left out? And how can we work together to build a more inclusive democracy?

  • Date
    15.11.2026
  • Location
    Design Museum Gent
    Drabstraat 10
  • Audience
    All ages
  • Time
    10:00 am. - 4:30 pm.
  • Access
    Included in admission ticket
  • Language
    Dutch

Programme

TimeActivitySpeakers
10:15 am. - 11:45 am.Mini Talks in Public Matter(s): Design and DemocracyProf. Dave Sinardet (political science), Prof. Patricia Popelier (constitutional law), Tina De Gendt (public historian) and Prof. Cato Waeterloos (social sciences)
1:15 pm. - 2:45 pm.Mini Talks in Public Matter(s): Design and Democracy — repeat of the morning sessionProf. Dave Sinardet (political science), Prof. Patricia Popelier (constitutional law), Tina De Gendt (public historian) and Prof. Cato Waeterloos (social sciences)
3:00 pm. - 4:30 pm.Panel discussion: Who Fits into the Design? — on democracy, inclusion and the protection of minoritiesProf. Patricia Popelier (University of Antwerp), Luc Demarez (Chair of GRIP vzw) and Badra Djait Voom (Chair of Voem)

Mini Talks

The Mini Talks are free, but you will need a valid museum admission ticket. Separate reservations are required for the talks, and places are limited. Book your spot here.

Panel Discussion

Participation in the panel discussion is free of charge. Registration is handled separately through the Hannah Arendt Institute.

Register for the panel discussion

This event is organised in collaboration with the Hannah Arendt Institute as part of Science Day and the focus programme accompanying Public Matter(s): Design and Democracy.

About the Hannah Arendt Instituut

The Hannah Arendt Institute connects scientific knowledge and insights on democracy, diversity and urban life with practical applications and a wider audience. Under the banner Democracy in Motion, its public programme explores how our society is constantly taking shape and changing, and what role we can play in this process.

Find out more here.