Environments shape how we learn, know and experience the world.
I create and study environments as ontoepistemic designs.
When a 10-year-old girl and her family experience natural history through an exhibition, and that exhibition is itself translated through other information and communication technologies such as computer-based information kiosks, role-playing garments, and treasure hunt trails, this is an example of how design shapes how the girl learns, knows and experiences the world.
See the video at the bottom of this page for an insight into how a 10-year-old’s experience is ontologically distributed.
Another example operates at a different scale: When university students learn about the human body, they explore anatomical specimens that have been chemically preserved. These specimens are stored in very large metallic containers with intricate elevation tray systems and are brought forward to be examined with scalpels by lab-coat-wearing students in dissection room settings. Knowing is shaped by architecture, garments and tools.
Current Studio Inquiry: Anatomy Galaxy
Anatomy Galaxy is an ongoing studio inquiry into Ontoepistemic Design. Developed within a former anatomy teaching environment, it investigates how epistemic environments can be created and studied through curatorial practice, site-specific installation, garments, video and spatial design.
Explore the ongoing studio inquiry Anatomy Galaxy for an insight into how architecture, clothing, plastic containers and information displays participate in the making of knowing.
Anatomy Galaxy, video still, Odense June 2026. Anatomical Body in Galaxy Dress, layered and projected. Image: Jasper Svabo.
Building an Interdisciplinary Research Environment
Since founding STEM Education Research Center FNUG in 2021, I have developed it into one of Denmarkâs largest interdisciplinary research communities in STEM education. Together, we investigate how art, design, and creativity transform learning, teaching, and science communication.
FNUG is itself an example of Ontoepistemic Design at the institutional scale. Here, the ontoepistemic arrangement is not an exhibition or a laboratory, but an interdisciplinary research environment.
Video presentation of the transdisciplinary ‘Atmosphere seminar‘ at FNUG, SDU 2025. Video: Simon Enderby.
https://youtu.be/DqEyypcIOsI?si=EDVA-gvYPmHfmSql
Studying and Designing Ontologically Distributed Experience
My research investigates experience as ontoepistemic arrangements. Through ethnography, wearable media, video, design and artistic inquiry, I explore how sociomaterial arrangements participate in learning, knowing and experience.
This early study used wearable video glasses to investigate how a natural history museum participates in visitors’ experience from a first-person perspective. The study marks an early step in the research trajectory that now develops as Ontoepistemic Design.
The video footage shows how exhibits, interfaces, and media co-design visitor experiences.
Video footage, Naturama 2009. Video: Connie Svabo.