Dr M.H. Vastenburg (Martijn)

My research focus is on developing theory and applications for digital eHealth coaches. Based on persuasive technology, serious gaming and behavior change theory, digital coaches can help people towards a healthy lifestyle, and support in coping with health issues.

In developing theoretical frameworks, social science research methods are applied to better understand how collaborative and digital coaching interventions affect behavior change, and how for example coaching traits and personality of the digital coach impact trust, adherence and eventually behavior change. The research builds on surveys, interviews, lab experiments and field experiments.

With my background in computer science (MSc) and industrial design engineering (PhD), my expertise is in design methodology, participatory design, behavior change theory and digital (embodied) coaches.

Current research includes defining a theoretical model for collaboration between digital and human coaches; designing personalities and coaching strategies for digital coaches; designing coaches that maintain motivation in time; and designing a coaching models for nutrition, food and sleep.

• Design for behavior change, social robots, persuasive technology

• Behavioural Science Institute