About the Author

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Michael Schwarz: Michiel Schwarz is a cultural thinker, innovator and policy consultant working from Amsterdam and Berkeley. He holds a PhD in the sociology of technology from the University of London. He has advised public organizations and has initiated a wide range of projects on global issues, sustainable futures, design strategies, media culture and innovation. Diana Krabbendam: Designer, editor and cultural entrepreneur.

Diana's career as a designer is inspired by a desire to contribute to a better society. As her career developed, she became interested in how design can be used to solve complex issues in society - leading her to focus her work on "creative innovation."

Since 2003, Diana has been working as designer, editor and cultural entrepreneur in the field of creative innovation. In 2006, together with Michiel Schwarz and Jan van Tiel, she founded The Beach, a network of creative innovators. The Beach initiates and produces projects in collaboration with creative partners, companies and institutions that aim for building a sustainable society. Topics are: play as a core quality of human beings, sustainabilty and inclusiveness. Connection, exchange, participation and creation are at the core of The Beach activities, which include society design, printed and online media, festivals and exhibitions.

She also serves as a board member for Urbaniahoeve and member of the creative board of Executive Master in Information Management of the University of Amsterdam.