Research projects

The Healthy Howest project aims to develop a health policy for Howest students and staff. A policy plan is being devised to promote physical, mental, and social well-being among both staff and students.                                                                              

The exploratory Practice-Based Research (PWO) project has yielded valuable insights into the potential of the Vital Brains App. The objective of this project is to assist the field by delivering a finalized product, enabling individuals to swiftly access specialized support.     

Due to the increasing aging population and the associated societal challenges, focusing on healthy and active aging is gaining importance. Local governments can play a crucial role in this by implementing an age-friendly policy.                                                    

Experiential Learning in and with Nature: Towards Sustainable Implementation in Diverse Contexts                                                                                                                                                                                        

In this project, we are exploring the possibility of developing a virtual movement platform where movements are felt 'real' in real-time. There is a high dropout rate when individuals are asked to follow an exercise program alone or remotely after an initial start with a coach.  

More and more people are convinced of the importance of living in an environment that offers ample opportunities for physical activity. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to this, as many people rediscovered their own neighborhoods during lockdowns.                            

The research group Vital Cities, in collaboration with the researchers from Howest's Sizing Servers Lab (MCT), will develop a mobile tool that can be used as a participation tool, research instrument, and educational tool.