About
An applied research, design and development laboratory at HEG Geneva (HES-SO).
Identity
Convivens Lab is an applied research, design and development laboratory based at HEG Geneva (HES-SO). We work at the intersection of digital health, health systems, and public-interest governance. Our work focuses on the design of digital and organizational infrastructures that enable more equitable, participatory, and resilient health systems.
Mission
What we do
We design, test, and implement digital infrastructures for health systems. This includes data spaces, decision-support tools, observatories, governance frameworks, and patient-led digital services.
Why we do it
Many health systems reproduce inequalities by design. Complexity, opacity, and fragmentation disproportionately affect those who are already vulnerable. We exist to make these structural dynamics visible and actionable.
How we work
We combine research, co-design, field experimentation, and long-term evaluation. Our approach is participatory, systems-oriented, and grounded in real-world use.
What Makes Us Different
Infrastructure vs tools
Most digital health initiatives focus on tools. We focus on infrastructures.
Durability vs speed
Most innovation programs prioritize speed. We prioritize durability.
Governance vs UX
Most projects optimize user experience. We design governance.
With patients, not for them
Most systems are built for patients. We build with them.
Institutional Anchoring
Convivens Lab is based at HEG Geneva, part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO). This anchoring reflects our orientation toward applied research, long-term partnerships, and public-interest innovation. We operate at the intersection of teaching, research, and real-world deployment.
Operating Principles
- 1Co-design with affected populations
- 2Research-action methodology
- 3Interoperability by design
- 4Evaluation-first approach
- 5Long-term accountability
Want to learn more?
Explore our intellectual foundations or see our work in action.