Academic Research Projects
I no longer work in academia but, during my time in the School of Computing at the University of Dundee, I worked on a number of funded research projects, and provided accessibility consultancy to a range of clients in both the public and private sectors.
Digital Media Access Group (DMAG)
July 2007 - August 2013
Funder(s): Various (commercial consultancy)
DMAG offers consultancy in accessible and usable design of digital media, specialising in the accessibility and usability of Web sites to disabled and older people, and providing custom accessibility reports/audits of Web sites and software interfaces.
Further details: DMAG Web site
My responsibilities:
- Carrying out accessibility audits of Web and other ICTs on behalf of commercial and academic institutions
- Designing and running usability evaluations
- Running workshops and training on Web accessibility and inclusive design
Worth Playing: Digital Games for Active and Positive Ageing
January 2012 - August 2013
Funder(s): Fundación General CSIC, La Obra Social "la Caixa"
This project seeks to understand what makes, digital games worth playing by people over the age of 60. Subsequently, we will develop digital games that reinforce and exploit the strengths of older people both as individuals and game players, as well as compensating for their limitations, reducing isolation and fostering socialisation. We will design, develop and evaluate a prototype online game for older people. The project is jointly run with the University Pompeu Fabra - GTI and the IIIA-CSIC Artificial Intelligence Research Institute in Barcelona.
Further details: WorthPlay Web site
My responsibilities:
- Co-Investigator, May to August 2013
- Researcher, January 2012 to April 2013
- Observational studies and running focus groups with older users of technology
eAccess+
September 2010 - August 2013
Funder(s): Refer to eAccess+ Web site
eAccess+ is a network of European organisations from academica, the public sector, industry and non-profits, who together are trying to encourage and support adoption of e-Accessibility by companies and organisations across Europe. We'll do this by growing the network and reaching out through speaking at events, sharing resources, and generally supporting people in developing a more inclusive approach to using information and communication technology to deliver services.
Further details: eAccess+ Web site
My responsibilities:
- Researcher, May to August 2013
Let Me Demonstrate
January 2012 - March 2013
Funder(s): Higher Education Academy
We are investigating the extent to which video-based "how-to" guides produced by computing students can be used as a tool for reflective practice, and as a form for mentoring or motivating students in earlier years. The goal of this project is to develop amongst students the significance of transferable skills relating to employability, such as the ability to communicate complex concepts and being able to work in groups, as well as the technical skills, such as being able to use a specific programming language.
Further details: Let Me Demonstrate project Web site
My responsibilities:
- Designing and running focus groups with students
- Developing and maintaining the Let Me Demonstrate application (Ruby on Rails, HTML and CSS)
- Developing and maintaining the Let Me Demonstrate Web site (Wordpress)
- Writing and presenting the results of the work at workshops and conferences around the UK
No logo available
SEEDS: An Organic Approach to Virtual Participatory Design
January 2010 - December 2010
Funder(s): Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (grant number EP/H006834/1)
SEEDS was a feasibility study to determine new methods of engaging digitally excluded individuals in the Digital Economy. The project aimed to show how technology and services can be designed to suit people who do not use digital technology, and to help educate young designers on how best to incorporate their needs into the design process.
Further details: Project summary on University of Kent Web site
My responsibilities:
- Designing and running participatory design sessions with novice designers
- Writing up the results of the work for presentation at international conferences
No logo available
Placement Pitch - Personal Development Planning for ICS Students
March 2009 - June 2009
Funder(s): Higher Education Academy
We designed, built and developed content for an interactive system to help information and computer science students who are aiming to enter the creative industries to develop their career pathway.
Further details: Placement Pitch Web site
My responsibilities:
- Designing and running feedback sessions with final year students
- Writing up the results of the work for presentation at Higher Education Academy conference
No logo available
Requirements Gathering for an Inclusive Digital Economy
July 2008 - June 2009
Funder(s): Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (grant number EP/F066848/1)
This research was aimed at understanding the needs of older adults as it impacts job performance, and the conceptual challenges in designing appropriate accessible technology for an increasingly ageing workforce. We used theatre techniques to gather requirements associated with issues of IT and ageing workers.
Further details: Requirements Gathering for an Inclusive Digital Economy Web site
My responsibilities:
- Working with scriptwriter, theatre director, trained facilitator, and actors to develop appropriate scripts for the project
- Designing and running theatre sessions with participants
Inclusive Digital Economy Network
April 2008 - June 2009
The goal of the Network was to identify challenges of older and disabled people within the Digital Economy and to outline research needed to address these challenges.
Further details: Inclusive Digital Economy Network Web site
My responsibilities:
- Project administration
No logo available
Research-Teaching Linkages - Enhancing graduate attributes in Information and Mathematical Sciences
July 2008 - February 2009
The aim of this subject-focussed work was to identify, share and build on good and innovative practice in utilising research-teaching linkages to enhance the achievement of graduate attributes.
Funder(s): The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
Further details: Research-Teaching Linkages - Enhancing graduate attributes in Information and Mathematical Sciences Web site
My responsibilities:
- Interviews with students & staff from Higher Education institutions across Scotland
- Designing and running a project workshop
- Disseminating results for presentation
No logo available
PhD - The Sonic Mapping Tool
November 2003 - July 2008
My PhD thesis documented the development of an acoustic ecology-based suite of methods to enable designers of sonically enhanced technologies to understand the relationship that users have with their existing "soundscapes" in order to conceptualise potential future design projects.
Funder(s): EPSRC
