About our research

A short video about the Design for Health and Wellbeing research group.

About our research

In the Design for Health and Wellbeing group, also known as DoWell, we explore how design and craft processes can improve physical and mental health.

We co-design our research into the social and societal aspects of health and wellbeing with the people who will benefit from our studies.

Our research contributes to national and international action on health, disability, dementia and neurodiversity through work with the people living with such conditions.

Health and wellbeing matter at all stages of life. Conventional mental and physical health services often prioritise treatment. By contrast, we promote prevention — aiming to recognise and respond to people’s needs, wants, wishes, and rights to health, wellbeing and equality.

Design, including craft, makes an important contribution to preventative strategies. We raise awareness that the design of environments, services, systems, interactions and products can have a significant impact on people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing.

We are interested in hearing from potential PhD candidates with proposals in the areas we cover.

Get in touch about PhD study.

Our research areas

Our approach to design leads to socially-responsive outcomes that address and enhance mental and physical health, wellbeing and equality. Our research broadly covers three areas — context and policy, co-design, and design outcomes and interventions — including:

  • understanding the social and cultural implications of contemporary health and wellbeing

  • developing methods of prevention and support for people using the different areas of design

  • using co-production and public engagement methods to develop best practice for health and wellbeing services and interventions

  • championing the role of people with experience as experts in shared decision making to give them greater control and improve quality of life

  • exploring the development of design-based approaches and outputs, including relevant services and psychosocial interventions

  • using design to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing throughout life, from childhood to old age

Meet the team

See contact details, publications history, specialisms and more.

Selected projects

Organisations we work with

Alzheimer’s Society logo

Alzheimer’s Society

age uk logo

Age UK

manchester museum logo

Manchester Museum

Arts Council England logo

Arts Council