Karin Smolders

Karin Smolders is an Associate Professor in the Human Technology Interaction department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), focusing on the interplay between lighting, psychology, and well-being. She studies how environmental light impacts human psychological functioning, health, and performance through a multidisciplinary lens combining psychology, chronobiology, and lighting research. Her work addresses both fundamental mechanisms and applied interventions in office and educational settings.

• Academic Background: PhD in Lighting Research/Environmental Psychology (2013, TU/e), MSc in Human Technology Interaction (2008, TU/e), BSc in Innovation Sciences
• Research Themes: Non-visual effects of light, diurnal light exposure, burnout mitigation, circadian regulation, user-centered lighting design

Recent publications demonstrate her focus on empirical validation of light's acute effects on mood and cognitive performance, including metameric lighting methodologies to isolate photoreceptor responses. She has contributed to journals like Sleep Health and Journal of Environmental Psychology, emphasizing translational applications for workplace health. A co-organizer of the 2012 'EXPERIENCING LIGHT' conference, she bridges academic and practical lighting challenges.