As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist (OT) with over a decade of experience, Ellie Hosking has dedicated her career to supporting children (and their families) to enable independence in daily activities.

Active outdoor play is essential to children’s physical health, emotional well-being, and social development. Yet, many children growing up in underserved neighborhoods have limited opportunities to play outside due to a range of socio-economic barriers.

Ten years ago, Karina Suhr, who is a graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Architecture, discovered her true calling as a playground architect.

Do you know where the playgrounds are in your city? Not sure? You are not alone. Many cities lack proper data on playground locations, making it harder for families to find places to play – and for urban planners to create child-friendly spaces.

“Playtime is one of the most important factors in child development. It’s through play that children learn how to interact, engage, negotiate, cope, and imagine, which helps their ability to regulate emotions.”

Meet Ida Lousen, research assistant at the World Playground Research Institute with a lifelong passion for movement, well-being, and outdoor spaces.

We are excited to start 2025 off with great news: Jasper Schipperjin, Head of Centre, will be speaking at TEDxOdense on January 31st 2025 in Odense, Denmark. 

Gweneth Leigh is an Australian landscape architect and researcher with a deep commitment to designing meaningful outdoor spaces that provide people with a ‘feel-good’ factor.

“My interest in urban design was sparked by a curiosity about how spaces influence human behavior and well-being — how they can impact community interactions, health, and social equity.”