Newcastle University

Professor Abigail Durrant

Professor Abigail Durrant

Principal Investigator, Newcastle University

Abi is Chair of Interaction Design and Co-Director of Open Lab, an interdisciplinary group of over 80 members researching human-computer interaction and the challenges and opportunities for social innovation supported by digital technologies. Abi is also Co-Director of the EPSRC Digital Civics Doctoral Training Programme and Co-Director of the new EPSRC Centre for Digital Citizens, to be launched in Spring 2021. Abi’s research, based in Digital Health and Wellbeing, is grounded in participatory, design-led methodologies, addressing challenges that we face for managing self-expression and self-care in our everyday interactions with data. She was previously Co-I on EPSRC Charting the Digital Lifespan (EP/L00383X/1), investigating online identity management during major life transitions. She has 20+ years’ professional experience in human-centred design research, previously running a design research consultancy with clients in Healthcare, Telecommunications, Consumer Goods, and Government agencies.

Dr Caroline Claisse

Dr Caroline Claisse

Innovation Fellow, Newcastle University

Caroline is a postdoctoral researcher at Open Lab, with a background in graphic and interaction design. She graduated from the Royal College of Art where she developed her interest in inclusive and participatory design. Since then, she has conducted participatory research with diverse groups where she used her expertise to design tools for co-creation. In her PhD, she explored the potential of interactive technology for museums and engaged the local community in the process of creating multisensory and digitally-augmented experiences of heritage. Caroline has received several grants to support her public engagement and exhibition work.

Dr Amy Rathbone

Dr Amy Rathbone

Research Associate, Newcastle University

Amy’s background is in psychology and the use of technology for mental health and she has a longstanding research interest in health and gender equality. Her doctoral thesis focused on health anxiety in pregnant women and the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), integrated into modern technology to ease prevalence, improve quality of life and relieve pressure on the health care services. Amy’s research interests surround digital technology, mental health, gender equality and improving societal quality of life.

Wezi Thamm

Wezi Thamm

Doctoral Researcher, Newcastle University

Wezi has a background in teaching and psychology. She has been an HIV activist in community work, prevention, treatment, care, advocacy and training for the past 20 years, and is  a longstanding member of ICW (International Community of Women Living with HIV) and a former European Representative of the network. Wezi has held a number of advocacy positions in both national and international HIV organisations and networks. Prior to my studies she worked with the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV in London as an Information, Advice and Guidance worker, volunteer co-ordinator and trainer with the Positive Futures programme. Wezi is a trustee on the board of HART (Hillingdon AIDS Response Trust) and a founding member and Chair of the network, WECARe+ (Women in Europe and Central Asia Regions plus). University. Her PhD at Newcastle is provisionally entitled: “A Life Course Perspective on HIV Support Services: Understanding Fit for Purpose and Exploring Opportunities for Needs; Living Healthy, Ageing and Change”. It is cross-disciplinary, drawing on social design and business psychology, and will encompass organisational perspectives alongside individual and community perspectives. Wezi’s PhD supervisors are Abigail Durrant, David Kirk, and Valerie Egdell.