Catherine Grundy

My research and consultancy have centred around a practice based, design thinking approach, applied to real world contexts, alongside developing new methods for co-designing with others.

I emerged from a background in 3D disciplines, studying physics and product design, later becoming involved in digital and interaction design for websites and Apps. I am therefore interested in designing experiences across different dimensions and disciplines, particularly where they are applied to social innovation. My approach has evolved over time, from a human centred (UX) perspective which emphasises the individual and their immediate networks, towards a wider, systemic viewpoint that also considers the impact of solutions on supply chains, society, and the natural world.

My work has had a specific focus (location-based games) but I also have wider interests based on the methodologies I have adopted.

Specific Themes:

I have been investigating educational location-based games and their motivational properties to encourage outdoor play for young people. I am interested in how they can support conditions that lead to an ‘ideal experience’ using flow theory, originally proposed by Czikszentmihalyi and I have created my own model of flow for this genre.  Projects include:

• Outdoor trail with Develop Outdoors, a local CIC who work with vulnerable teenagers on outdoor play for wellbeing.
• Games in woodlands for Forestry England to encourage a connection with natural environments and science for school curriculum.
• Co-designing games with local schools, Sussex Wildlife Trust and University of Sussex

Wider Interests:

I am interested in applying design thinking, including co-design methods and circular economy approaches to innovation. I also follow a methodology that ensures design research is rigorous, based on a model adapted from Elizabeth Sanders work, that ensures stakeholders’ requirements are considered from a range of perspectives, including their emotional and latent needs. Typical projects included:

• As an associate researcher with Always Possible, a local business innovation company who work with charities and SME’s I helped to create new directions for their clients, using co-design and evidence-based approaches.
• Lead academic for a KTP with PDD Ltd., a leading design consultancy working on a research model for understanding user and contextual requirements. Experience mapping techniques and other techniques I introduced supported rigour for client investigations.
• New methods developed for working with young people applied to global design projects, for example, working with Gambian Projects Overseas and Gambian Medical Services on innovations for primary schools. We were considering circular economy approaches to building and food services.
• Supporting a Nominet sponsored project to engage young people with town planning and community engagement, applying methods of working with young people I developed. This was a project initiated by Nick Gant as part of the Community 21 programme at the University.