Hi, I'm an interdisciplinary design researcher focused on social design, systems thinking, and decolonial practices. I blend design research with anthropology, sociology, and decolonial studies to drive systemic change through my making skills. I'm passionate about building inclusive, reflexive, and co-creative learning spaces across art, design, and cultural education. I have experience developing and facilitating workshops, lectures, and mentorship formats and enjoy engaging with diverse communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster sustainable and equitable design outcomes.…

Poorvi Garag

Hi, I'm an interdisciplinary design researcher focused on social design, systems thinking, and decolonial practices. I blend design research with anthropology, sociology, and decolonial studies to drive systemic change through my making skills. I'm passionate about building inclusive, reflexive, and co-creative learning spaces across art, design, and cultural education. I have experience developing and facilitating workshops, lectures, and mentorship formats and enjoy engaging with diverse communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster sustainable and equitable design outcomes.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m an interdisciplinary design researcher focused on social design, systems thinking, and decolonial practices. I blend design research with anthropology, sociology, and decolonial studies to drive systemic change through my making skills. I’m passionate about building inclusive, reflexive, and co-creative learning spaces across art, design, and cultural education.

I have experience developing and facilitating workshops, lectures, and mentorship formats and enjoy engaging with diverse communities, policymakers, and stakeholders to foster sustainable and equitable design outcomes.

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Work Experience

Co-founder at studiosamayam
January 1, 2025 - Present
An independent, cross-continental design research initiative (Netherlands–India) focused on cultural research and decolonial product design development.
Future Research Fellow at Future Days + Copenhagen Institute of Future Studies
May 31, 2025 - July 15, 2025
Conducting qualitative futures research on international governance paradigms focusing on inclusion and diversity in international development. Engaging with international stakeholders and policymakers to explore sustainable governance and policymaking dialogue. Applying foresight methodologies, transdisciplinary research, and ideation frameworks towards international sustainable development. Developing and testing a gamified tool for facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on inclusion, diversity, and sustainable policymaking.
Co-educator/co-facilitator at Jamies van Duuren Design
January 1, 2025 - Present
Developing and facilitating participatory workshops that explore systems, identity, and futures thinking through a socially engaged lens.
Freelance Design Researcher at Various Clients (NGOs, design studios, municipalities, schools)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Developing and facilitating workshops exploring systems, identity, and futures thinking. Worked on academic and commercial projects with a variety of clients internationally.
Informal Student Coach & Mentor at Freelance/Volunteer via LinkedIn
August 1, 2024 - Present
Coached 25+ international students applying to Masters programs in art/design across Europe. Provided guidance on portfolios, application strategies, emotional preparedness, housing, food, and adaptation to Dutch life. Offered informal mentorship focused on holistic student well-being.
Social Design Researcher (Master Thesis) at Eindhoven - Shimoga (NL - IN)
November 30, 2024 - July 15, 2025
Conducted multi-sited ethnographic research on social, economic, and environmental impacts of global trade between India and the Netherlands. Applied participatory design and transdisciplinary research merging design, anthropology, and historical analysis. Delivered a research archive and object-based installation as final outcomes.
Social Design Intern at Design Innovation Group Amsterdam
January 31, 2024 - July 15, 2025
Conducted stakeholder analysis and policy design research for organizational innovation. Developed game-based participatory research methods. Synthesized data and literature to inform social innovation projects. Optimized Holacratic workflows using Adobe and Microsoft tools.
Social Design Researcher (Bachelor Thesis) at Bidar - Bangalore (IN)
June 30, 2022 - July 15, 2025
Led ethnographic research in collaboration with NGOs and UNDP on water resource management using commons theory. Developed governance and policy research methodologies to analyze socio-cultural distribution of agency related to common pool resource management involving community and government stakeholders.
Co-founder at studiosamayam
January 1, 2025 - Present
Co-founded an independent, cross-continental design research initiative focused on cultural research and decolonial product design development between the Netherlands and India.
Future Research Fellow at Future Days + Copenhagen Institute of Future Studies
May 31, 2025 - July 15, 2025
Conducting qualitative futures research on governance paradigms focused on inclusion and diversity in international development. Engaging with international stakeholders and policymakers to explore sustainable governance and policymaking dialogue. Applying foresight methodologies and transdisciplinary research, and developing a gamified tool for multi-stakeholder dialogues on inclusion and sustainability.
Co-educator/co-facilitator in Waste to Wonder Workshop at Jamie van Duuren Design
January 1, 2025 - Present
Involved in designing and facilitating workshops focusing on participatory practices and waste-to-resource circular processes.
Freelance Design Researcher at Independent / Various
January 1, 2023 - Present
Developed and facilitated participatory workshops to explore systems, identity, and futures thinking through a socially engaged lens with NGOs, design studios, municipalities, and schools internationally.
Social Design Researcher (master thesis) at Independent - Eindhoven to Shimoga
November 30, 2024 - July 15, 2025
Conducted multi-sited ethnographic research on social, economic, and environmental impacts of global trade between India and the Netherlands, applying participatory design and transdisciplinary research. Created a research archive and object-based installation as final outcomes.
Social Design Intern at Design Innovation Group
January 31, 2024 - July 15, 2025
Carried out stakeholder analysis and policy design research for organizational innovation and led internal policy strategy. Developed game-based participatory research methods and synthesized qualitative data to support social innovation projects.
Social Design Researcher (bachelor thesis) at Independent - Bidar to Bangalore
June 30, 2022 - July 15, 2025
Led ethnographic research focused on water resource management using commons theory. Designed governance and policy research methodologies, and conducted fieldwork through interviews and focus groups to analyze socio-cultural dynamics between citizens and government stakeholders.
Informal Student Coach & Mentor (Freelance / Volunteer) at Remote via LinkedIn
August 1, 2024 - Present
Coached over 25 international students applying to Masters programs in art/design in Europe, providing portfolio guidance, application strategy, and support for adapting to life in the Netherlands.

Education

MA in Social Design at Design Academy Eindhoven
August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2024
B.Des Industrial Design at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology
August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2022

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Non-Profit Organization, Government, Professional Services, Other, Media & Entertainment