Steven Fokkinga, PhD
Research & Innovation Lead
I build tools, develop frameworks, and do research to help organizations understand what people really need—combining deep expertise in user psychology with hands-on technical ability.
Selected Cases
Teaching AI to Interview
Emotions by Design
Beyond Metrics: Rotterdam's Helpline
Giving The News Legs
Emotion Mapping
Behavior Change Design
Citizens Don't Shop
TinyTask
Rotterdam Klik Lab
Clients I worked for
Led 10+ international research projects across 8 countries. Created two innovation programs and toolkits—now global standards for Danone teams.
UX research for next-generation product using in-context observation, interviews, and focus groups.
Directed 10+ research projects on UX and product innovation. Established 7-year strategic partnership.
Emotion mapping research in India. Trained external research teams and provided proprietary research platform.
Methodology training for Lego designers at headquarters in Denmark.
Developed innovation program enabling Mercedes teams to design for deep user needs.
Several research & development projects on living with chronic kidney disease and improving healthy behavior.
Core member of global innovation team. Co-developed research methodology and rolled it out across 7 countries.
Immersive user research on smart home experiences. Delivered product concepts and experience mockups, presented at HQ in Seoul.
Methodology training for Zalando Design Leads on designing for emotion and positive experiences.