Abigail Durrant
Alumni
Abigail worked in the School of Design between January 2017 and June 2020, when she moved to Newcastle University.
Abigail is an interaction designer and researcher, predominantly working in the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Her design-led research explores how digital technologies support individuals’ expressions of self and identity in a data-rich world. In particular she is interested in the concept of ‘digital personhood’, and how digital interactions shape wellbeing and social inclusion.
In academic research, her approach is practice-based and participatory, using design to critically understand experiences, and co-produce research with end-user populations of designs. She is a passionate advocate of ‘research through design’.
Abigail is the Principal Investigator of EPSRC ‘INTUIT: Interaction Design for Trusted Sharing of Personal Health Data to Live Well with HIV‘ project (EP/R033900/1).
She previously completed a Leverhulme Fellowship (ECF-2012-642) in 2017 and is Co-Investigator (Co-I) for a number of EPSRC funded projects:
- Centre for Digital Citizens (official centre launch is upcoming in Spring 2021)
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Civics
- ‘Playing out with IOT’ (EP/P025544/2)
- ‘Charting the Digital Lifespan project (EP/L00383X/1)
- ‘Scaling the Rural Enterprise’ (EP/J000604/1)
Abigail’s Publications
See an up to date list of Mersha’s publications on the Northumbria University Research Portal and Google Scholar.
Abigail’s projects
INTUIT
Changing the Stigma Narrative for HIV
Research Through Design conference
Playing Out with IoT
A Design-Led Enquiry into Parametric Product Design for Dementia Care
Funology
Let’s Start
Policymaking and HCI
Speculative Enactments