Theme: Health and Wellbeing

Chair(s)

• Dr Claire Craig, Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
• Dr Chris Lim, University of Dundee, UK.
• Dr Graham Pullin, University of Dundee, UK

Co-Chair(s)

• Prof Stephen Reay, Auckland University of Technology
• Sue Fairburn, The Wilson School of Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada
• Prof Deana McDonagh, University of Illinois, USA
• Hans Kaspar Hugentobler, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Switzerland
• Sara Nevay, PhD Researcher, University of Dundee, UK.

Description

We need a radical rethink of how healthcare is conceptualised and delivered. With growing pressures on existing healthcare systems, service providers and policy makers increasingly recognise this.

Design’s ability to focus not only on problem solving, but also on problem formulation, means that it could be central to new and emerging health models. By its nature, this involves working outside the norm, questioning current practice, investigating novel approaches and taking a road less travelled. And valuable lessons can be learned from everything that has been attempted in this spirit – even though it might not always have ended well.

We welcome design-driven research responses that explore alternative ways of delivering healthcare; that consider new methods or methodologies that will positively impact design for future good health and wellbeing; research that illuminates, critiques, speculates…

Questions

• What is the role and impact of design in health and wellbeing, and vice versa?
• What models of teamwork should be developed in support of the creative process for health and why?
• Where are the boundaries of design thinking in specialist medical areas, for example heart surgery and neuroscience?
• How can the exploration and improvisation inherent in design research be related to healthcare ethical protocols,
  whilst also broadening notions of ethical research to include co-ownership and co-direction with participants?
• How does/could design research contribute to the intent of a greater emphasis on mental health and wellbeing in the sector?
• How are success and failure determined and honestly discussed in the fields of ‘Design’ and ‘Health’?