Kirstine Neimann Skov and Ilma Stankeviciute from the Social Design Unit present work at the DRS conference in Edinburg.

Kirstine presented insights on how non-verbal creative modalities, materiality and co-design can help grief practitioners to support children in their coping with grief due to bereavement. The presentation is based on the paper “When grief takes shape: Codesigning creative modalities in grief support groups for children”, co-authored with Eva Knutz and Thomas Markussen.

The paper is published in the conference proceedings and can be located in DRS Digital Library: https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2026/researchpapers/456/

Ilma attended the DRS PhD Hub which combined many thematic strands central to conducting PhD research. These included both skills and conversations in areas such as: practice research, writing, collaboration, publications and outputs, and academic and non-academic careers. Led by a group of PhD researchers and academics, the PhD Hub created a supportive and open environment in which PhD candidates were able to share experiences and examples of best practice alongside critical discussion.