Ann Laenen is the Dean of Sint Lucas Antwerpen. She studied Arts and Theatre Science and obtained her PhD in arts education. Trained as a musician, her interests have always been interdisciplinary, bridging education, the arts, and research. Her professional career began at the education department of the Royal Opera House in Brussels, after which she started experimenting with digital tools in education and communication. In 2009 she combined her academic expertise with project coordination and development in the arts on both national and international levels. Among other roles, she oversaw the artist residency programme for Valletta 2018, Cultural Capital of Europe, and co-curated several exhibitions. Participatory design, community work, and co-creation are central to her projects.

Her current research focuses on group dynamics within art projects, the role of design thinking in creative processes, and the ethical dimensions of art practice. She is open to working with PhD researchers whose projects connect to these themes, and welcomes proposals that engage with collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches in the arts.

Visit Ann's personal website: https://annlaenen.me/