MSc. Tschavgova, E.

Elisabeth is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering developing a method a method to analyse complexity, as well as identify leverage points within the system for potential sustainable systemic change. She investigates this through her current case study of TULIPS (a European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program), which is focused on the aviation industry.

Academic Background

The primary aim in her research is to make fundamental systemic change for a sustainable future an accessible practice for designers. More specifically, to develop a methodology that not only enables designers to collaboratively analyse complexity and identify leverage points, but also prioritises feasibility and acceptability of the intervention strategies over theoretical optimality. 

This method development is based on an initial case study with Philips during her MSc graduation project and is now further developed in a broader project called "TULIPS: DemonstratinG lower pollUting soLutions for sustaInable airPorts acrosS Europe" in collaboration with Schiphol (NL), Avinor (NOR) and Hermes (CYP). TULIPS aims to promote a sustainable transition in the European aviation industry and Elisabeth's work package specifically aims to accelerate circularity at airports. Her main focus within TULIPS is the elimination of operational consumer/passenger waste through behaviour change strategies. This transition requires a deep understanding of the complex system of airports and the identification of leverage points for the required behaviour change.

Education

• 2020 – 2022
  TU Delft, MSc Strategic Product Design (honors, cum laude)
  Graduation thesis: Green Parenting in 2030 – exploration of systemic & sustainable innovation with Philips”
• 2017
  Korea University, Exchange semester
• 2014 – 2018
  FH Salzburg, Bachelor of Arts in Business (with distinction)
  Graduation thesis “Design and Sustainability based on Creative Communities” ; “My aquaponic – human, animal and plant in the urban area”

Experience

• 2020 – 2022
  TU Delft, Teaching Assistant
  Engineering Design for a Circular Economy (MOOC), Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy (MOOC), Towards Circular Product Design (MOOC), Sketching (BA course), Visual Thinking (MSc course)
• 2021
  TU Delft, Research Assistant for ReCiPSS (Resource-efficient Circular Product-Service Systems)
• 2021
  Rode Kruis, Human-Centered Designer & Strategist (Internship)
• 2019 – 2020
  ​​​​​​Edelweiss Design, Industrial Designer
• 2018 – 2019
  Van Berlo, Strategic Designer (Internship)
• 2016 – 2019
  Freelance Designer for Sustainable Startups in the DACH market
• 2017 – 2018
  DS Smith, Packaging Designer (Internship)
• 2015 – 2017
  FH Salzburg, Reseach Assistant