Research

ImaginationLancaster addresses complex contemporary challenges and opportunities by working across traditional university boundaries and linking disciplines.

We conduct applied and theoretical research into people, products, places and their interactions. We use innovative strategies that combine practice-based methods arising from design and the arts with science and social science methods. We address challenges such as climate change, urban density, an increasingly ageing society, health and wellbeing, inequalities in wealth within and across countries and continents, knowledge exchange, and rapid technological change.

Current Research Activities

A Practice-Based Approach to Design ResearchA Practice-Based Approach to Design Research A Practice-Based Approach to Design Research Exploring new creative directions in product design to include sustainable principles.
BridgeBridge Bridge Bridging resources and agencies in large-scale emergency management
CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change)CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change) CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change) This £1.5 million EPSRC funded 4 year project examines the role of new technology in citizen led ...
Data ArtsData Arts Data Arts An investigation into emerging approaches to visualising, interpreting and using data.
DeEP: Design in European PoliciesDeEP: Design in European Policies DeEP: Design in European Policies Evaluating and Sharing Design Innovation Policies for European Growth
Design and Production for SustainabilityDesign and Production for Sustainability Design and Production for Sustainability Research into the nature and form of functional objects
Design for WellbeingDesign for Wellbeing Design for Wellbeing how design contributes to health and well-being
Environment 2.0Environment 2.0 Environment 2.0 Investigating new forms of social sensing and participatory observation of local environment and climate.
HighWireHighWire HighWire Creating Innovative People for Radical Change
Innovation Theory/PracticeInnovation Theory/Practice Innovation Theory/Practice Understanding through challenging: Innovation and Design
Innovation through Improved Service & DesignInnovation through Improved Service & Design Innovation through Improved Service & Design A series of 3 workshops aiming at introducing Design to manufacturing SMEs with a particular focus on the ...
New Interaction OrderNew Interaction Order New Interaction Order New(?) mobile behaviour in public spaces
PROUDPROUD PROUD People Researchers and Organisations Using Design for Co-Creation and Innovation. Working with designers, ...
Service Design ResearchService Design Research Service Design Research Research into the development of Service Design as a discipline
Structural IDEAS Exchange Structural IDEAS Exchange Structural IDEAS Exchange Research into the exchange of knowledge exchange structures rather than the exchange of knowledge itself.
The Creative ExchangeThe Creative Exchange The Creative Exchange Creating New Contexts for Growth in the Experience Economy
The Spirit of Design The Spirit of Design The Spirit of Design Research that's expands understandings of sustainability to include notions of personal meaning that ...
Urban FuturesUrban Futures Urban Futures Sustainable Regeneration - from evidence-based urban futures to implementation

Past Research Activities

Design2020Design2020 Design2020 The UK design industry in 2020
Design In PracticeDesign In Practice Design In Practice Flexibility and change for healthcare service providers

Latest Updates

CX Funded PhD Studentships

Lancaster University is seeking to recruit five PhD students to participate in an exciting collaborative project with a range of academic and industrial partners in the creative and digital industries.

The five studentships are funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council via The...Read full update

PROUD Project Meeting in Paris

PROUD Project Meeting in Paris

The newly appointed Design Managers for Lancaster University and The Storey Creative Industries Centre presented the concept for the Lancaster Design Innovation Hub to partners from across North West Europe.

The ‘Two Locations: One Centre’ concept aims to facilitate the flow of ideas and...Read full update

First CX Management Meeting

First CX Management Meeting

The Creative Exchange is picking up pace after the first management meeting for 2012

The Creative Exchange Hub Management team members from Lancaster University, Newcastle University and The Royal College of Art met in Newcastle to make key decisions about how the Hub will develop over the...Read full update

Proud and HighWire Event

Proud and HighWire Event

HighWire students helped to develop a code of practice or values for the 'open to all' participants in the centre when its formally open after a period of renovation in January

In a first event in the Proud space in the Storey Creative Industries Centre in the center of Lancaster we...Read full update

Proud meeting and conference

Proud meeting and conference

As part of Dutch design week our first Proud project meeting and one day conference on design and Safety was convened in Eindhoven

With the project now really up and runing we gathered together in Eindhoven to discuss progress but also to exchange new ideas and to meet soem of the prople...Read full update