I’m a design researcher with an industrial and interaction design background. My work involves interdisciplinary and collaborative research, often partnering with local communities and organisations. My research interests centre on socially complex design contexts, from ageing to health to safety.
☞ jsheahan@ed.ac.uk ︎
☞ CV ︎
A bit more about me
Originally from Canberra, Australia, I moved to Melbourne to train as an industrial designer, working in artisan lighting, public placemaking, and plastics fabrication while I studied at RMIT University. During my honours year, I developed a multisensory wellbeing intervention with health professionals in a regional dementia ward, forming a passion for research through design.
This was followed by PhD research centred on exploring socially engaging technologies for older Australians. I conducted two participatory, community-based projects as part of my studies that explored explored ways of re-connecting in a post-pandemic contect. Alongside my studies I took on additional teaching and research roles focusing on topics such as connectedness and technology use among older Australians.
I have since undertaken a two research fellowships focusing on co-design apporaches to issues of health, ageing, and care. First, collaborating with Scottish communities, exploring the value of informal care in later life and how it could be supported by emerging technologies. And currently, working with people experiencing long-COVID and their health providers to build more inclusive models of care.
In my spare time, I enjoy trips into the outdoors, finding local trails to cycle on, and playing with photography ︎
☞ jsheahan@ed.ac.uk ︎
☞ CV ︎
A bit more about me
Originally from Canberra, Australia, I moved to Melbourne to train as an industrial designer, working in artisan lighting, public placemaking, and plastics fabrication while I studied at RMIT University. During my honours year, I developed a multisensory wellbeing intervention with health professionals in a regional dementia ward, forming a passion for research through design.
This was followed by PhD research centred on exploring socially engaging technologies for older Australians. I conducted two participatory, community-based projects as part of my studies that explored explored ways of re-connecting in a post-pandemic contect. Alongside my studies I took on additional teaching and research roles focusing on topics such as connectedness and technology use among older Australians.
I have since undertaken a two research fellowships focusing on co-design apporaches to issues of health, ageing, and care. First, collaborating with Scottish communities, exploring the value of informal care in later life and how it could be supported by emerging technologies. And currently, working with people experiencing long-COVID and their health providers to build more inclusive models of care.
In my spare time, I enjoy trips into the outdoors, finding local trails to cycle on, and playing with photography ︎