We are thrilled to invite 10 exceptional Master and PhD students from around the world to the inaugural EXPRESSO Summer School 2025! With leading experience design professors from the Experience Research Society, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of experience design, research, and the societal impact we can create.
Theme: Cultural Experience Design
Place: Wuxi, China
Time: July 14-25, 2025
Our theme “Cultural Experience Design” can take many forms. About 30 local graduate students will form teams that approach the design challence of Cultural Experience. Each team involves a PhD student who proposes a design method or technique that Master’s students in the team will follow, e.g., during a human-centred design / experience design process. Therefore, this summer school provides a chance for PhD students to collect data on how a method or technique works in cultural experience design project.
The School of Design at Jiangnan University (SDJU) is delighted to host this exceptional event at our beautiful Lihu Campus. As one of the earliest and most prestigious design schools in China, SDJU provides an innovative and international learning environment just about 2 hours from Shanghai airport. Wuxi is a vibrant city of 5 million people, and SDJU is located in a touristic area close to the city center.
There is no fee for the summer school itself. SDJU will cover the most of basic accommodation on the Lihu Campus, meals, and public transportation tickets within Wuxi. EXPRESSO supports the travel expenses of each accepted international student by 500€.
December 15: Application period opens (details will come soon)
February 7: Deadline for applications
February 15-16: Interviews of applicants
February 28: Notification of chosen students, WeChat student channel
March 31: Visa and travel booking settled
April 15: Team topics are decided, and background research can start
July 1: Preparatory session 1
July 7: Preparatory session 2
July 14-25: Summer school & weekend excursions
Looking forward to the EXPRESSO Summer School 2025, where we’ll spark inspiration, foster connections, and shape the future of cultural experience design research.
The EXPRESSO Summer School 2025 Team
Manager
Yichen Lu, Associate Professor, Jiangnan University
Members
Virpi Roto, Vice Dean of Impact at School of Arts, Design, and Architecture, Aalto University, PhD
Michael Lai, Managing Partner, Tang Consultancy, PhD
Haian Xue, Assistant Professor, TU Delft, PhD
Markus Ahola, Chief Specialist, LAB University of Applied Sciences, PhD
Sara Chen, the Deputy Director of the Experience Design Frontier Methodology and Technology Research Center (Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation, 111 Center), Jiangnan University
