IRENE provided an important context for the development and dissemination of two research papers recently presented by Technische Universiteit Delft in two international Design conferences: the Design Research Society (DRS) 2026 in Edinburgh (UK) and the Participatory Design Conference (PDC) in Milan (Italy).

While the papers address broader theoretical questions around participation, citizenship, and collective action, they directly engage with challenges central to IRENE, such as how democratic participation can move beyond consultation and become a driver of transformative action.

The conferences provided an opportunity to discuss and validate emerging conceptual and methodological insights with the international design research community. The resulting exchanges contribute to the ongoing development of participatory approaches within IRENE, particularly regarding the design of multi-stakeholder assemblies, the role of citizen agency in transition processes, and the creation of participatory mechanisms capable of generating long-term collective action.

Through this contribution, the project benefits from both increased scientific visibility and the integration of cutting-edge research perspectives that can inform its participatory methodologies and governance frameworks.