Digital Practices, Health & Communities

The OU’s Digital Practices, Health & Communities theme includes inter-and-multi-disciplinary research from across the University with expertise in healthcare, digital games, chemistry, age-in-place, older adults, gamification, language, education, mixed methods, international studies, disability, design, scoping/narrative reviews, music, chronic health conditions, wearable technology, energy, artificial intelligence, active and assisted living.

The Digital Practices, Health & Communities theme facilitates researchers across all career trajectories and affords the opportunity to share ideas, collaborate and support each other from various exercises including peer reviewing of grant applications, journal papers, conference abstracts, public engagement, impact activities, knowledge transfer, and dissemination of information with a view to positively impacting on society.

Outputs & Activities (Selected)

• AgeTech Innovation week. Marston was invited to be on the panel 'What is the pandemic's long-term impact on AgeTech?'
• An Independent Living Technology Challenge is needed to fulfil the ambitions of the National Disability Strategy. Clive Gilbert & Dr Hannah R. Marston.  Housing LIN.
• Policy Connect launches Smart Homes and Independent Living Commission. 14th May 2021.
• Age-friendly World, World Health Organisation (2021). The Hague. 10 Questions concerning age-friendly cities and communities and the built environment. 

Research projects and collaboration

ACTIS Programme

SIG members are active with various research projects and collaborations, both with internal and external colleagues, stakeholders, industry and HEIs. Examples of the various research projects and collaborations can be found below:

ACTIS Programme is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the East Midlands Academic Health Science Network. The aims and purpose of ACTIS are focusing on the economic performance of the Life Sciences sector within the SEMLEP region; by facilitating SMEs to increase their competitive advantage through collaboration, stimulating and innovation between various actors (e.g. business, NHS and research).

H&W SRA and various SIG members have organised several events with Medilink East Midlands to facilitate organic prospective collaborations between research and SMEs:

• Technologies to make Homes & Communities Smart – Forthcoming 2020
  • OU Speakers: Alessio Antonini & Miguel Valdez
• Diagnostics for Health and Wellbeing – May 2019
  • OU Speakers: Geraint (Taff) Morgan & Clara Mancini
• Assistive Technologyies – November 2018
  • OU Speakers: Tim Coughlan & Sharif Haider
• Using Gamification to support Active & Assistive Living in the Elderly – November 2017
  • OU Speakers: Andrea Berardi & Hannah R. Marston

Additional researchers

The DH&W SIG comprises of many academics from across The Open University and Faculties, comprising of different skills, knowledge and expertise.

We welcome external communication with stakeholders, SMEs and industry who wish to work with us in the area of Digital Health & Wellbeing.

• Allan Third
• Amel Bennaceur
• Andrea Berardi
• Blaine Price
• Caroline Tagg
• Chris Douce
• Clara Mancini
• Duncan Banks
• Geraint (Taff) Morgan
• Hannah R. Marston
• Parvathy Harilal
• Gini Harrison
• Simon Holland
• Ursula Stickler
• Verina Waights
• Gemma Ryan
• Jitka Vsetechkova
• Adrian Poulton
• Ben Langdown
• Vikram Mehta
• Miguel Valdez
• Tim Coughlan
• Sharif Haider