On June 10, as part of the Civic Social Media project, researchers Eva Oosterlaken and Martijn de Waal will give a presentation on “Directions for ‘civic social media’: designing and managing trusted online community spaces” at the TICTeC 2025 conference in Mechelen.
Amid growing concerns around mainstream platforms like Facebook and X, there is an urgent need for civic social media— safe, trusted digital spaces where communities can gather without fear of harassment or exploitation.
At Civic IxD, we’ve been working with PubHubs, a public values-based Dutch network, to explore how such platforms can be designed and managed. Our research highlights key UX principles such as a warm welcome, thriving communities, and relationality—and translates them into actionable use cases for public organisations like libraries, cities, and patient groups.
In collaboration with PublicSpaces, a coalition of over 40 Dutch public institutions, we’re also developing a road map for the future of civic social media—bridging design, tech, policy, and public values.
Join us for this insightful session and explore how designers, platform owners, public organisations, and policymakers can play a role in shaping the future of social media grounded in civic values.