Inge Ignatia de Waard

Inge Ignatia de Waard (1967, Belgium) is a mobile and MOOC pioneer who has investigated online learning and EdTech at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Belgium, with projects around the world), Athabasca University (Canada) and The Open University (UK) after which she became the Instructional Design strategist for InnoEnergy, working in the field of innovative and sustainable energy. She has a background in IT and pedagogy and has been an international public speaker, addressing audiences across continents on the subject of online, MOOC, online and mobile learning. Writing has been a consistent factor, producing articles for magazines and journals such as the Learning Solutions magazine, as well as authoring research papers and chapters.

Her professional path has been eclectic, following the grand tradition of all students that do not fit universal formal education ... only to return to it later in life. Past professions include: preparing food for film crews (resulting in startlingly new dishes that surpass tasteful palettes), cleaning offices (using the dust-under-carpet method frequently) and waiting on tables for artists and art lovers in a famous Belgian theater company (being renowned for having a morning temper matching even the most fierce of actors) ... after quick iterations as a photographer, film critic and stand-up comedian, Inge finally found a place where she could voice opinions openly while lobbying for equal rights. The Vrouwen Overleg Komitee willingly employed her, which got Inge started on organizing big events, networking across political parties and online learning while using technology to disseminate content, as well as connect with peers.

In order to be able to make a difference, Inge changed jobs and started to work for one of the finest research centers on tropical diseases: the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium. After years of engaging, setting up and supporting mHealth and online projects, she decided to engage in research at the renowned Open University of United Kingdom.