I’m a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, with a background in industrial and interaction design. My work involves interdisciplinary and collaborative research, often partnering with local communities and organisations. My research interests centre on socially complex contexts of design, from ageing to health to safety.


☞ jsheahan@ed.ac.uk ︎
☞ CV ︎

 
A bit more about me
Orginally from Canberra, I moved to Melbourne to train as an industrial designer, where I worked in artisan lighting, public placemaking, and plastic fabrication while I studied at RMIT University. During my honours year I developed a multisensory initiative in a regional dementia ward, forming a passion for research through design.

This led to further studies in postgraduate research centred on exploring socially engaging technologies for older Australians. Alongside conducting two interdisciplinary case studies, I also took on additional teaching, as well as research roles with interdisciplinary teams such as Shaping Connections (focusing on connectedness and technology use among older Australians) and Safeness by Design (an intiative using design to inform safeness across a broad range of environments and contexts).

Since graduating, I’m undertaken a research fellowship with Edinburgh’s Institute for Design Informatics, co-ordinating the Informal Networks of Care project at the Advanced Care Research Centre. Focusing on scottish communities, this research builds on my doctoral work by exploring the value of informal care in later life, and how it could be supported by emerging technologies.

Alongside my studies and work, I enjoy local gravel cycling in my spare time and becoming something of a bouldering enthusiast.