Connected Community - Case Studies

Reminiscence room

Researchers from SiDE's Connected Community activity have been working with an adult mental health and learning disability development unit where many of the patients have chronic dementia. Building on dementia research in the Personhood project they have developed a digital artwork that enlivens the 'quiet room' and provides interactive reminiscence for clients living in the unit Read More

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition, affecting one person in every 500. Read More
date: 13.12.2010

Ambient Kitchen

Our work is based on the groundbreaking studies of Wherton and Monk into the views and capabilities of people with dementia. Read More
date: 08.04.2011

Play Therapy

The purpose of this research is to investigate how children and play therapists could use digital technology at different stages of play therapy. The study also aims to establish a para­digm of understanding as to what the advantages and barriers are for the use of multi-touch digital technology in play therapy. Read More
date: 10.05.2012

Sensors & activity recognition

A fundamental challenge for much of the “Connected Home and Communities” activity on SiDE is reasoning about what people are doing at any moment in time. SiDE is producing a suite of open source hardware and software for activity recognition that both underpins our own research and lowers barriers for other researchers around the world. Read More
date: 08.03.2011

  • My Great North Run - Two important research topics for SiDE are the development of design methods for older people

  • Personhood in dementia - This is a collection of pieces addressing the possible preservation of aspects of self identity.

  • The Lovers’ Box - SiDE is seeking to achieve a deeper understanding of the potential of digital technologies.

  • Surfaces, tabletops and digital easels - SiDE has particular expertise in the design and development of interactive surfaces and tabletops.

  • New Approaches to Banking for the Older Old - Researchers from the SiDE project are working in collaboration with experts from the University of York and Northumbria University to develop novel banking tools which afford older people to remain part of an ever increasing digital banking world. In collaboration with Barclay’s bank, Age UK and Zopa researcher’s have been investigating the behaviour of a group of ‘older old’ adults, those aged 80 or over, in relation to their banking practices seeking to provide more inclusive solutions for those who have become excluded from digital banking processes. 

  • Craftcube - CraftCube houses a collection of pieces that reveal a trajectory of digital jewellery research into memory and memory loss designed by Jayne Wallace. The selected works are reflective pieces based on source material gathered from care staff at Alzheimer’s Society day care centres and people living with memory loss as well as in-depth co-creative research with an individual living with dementia.

  • Expressive Photography Study - This case study set out to explore how photography may be practiced at school by children with additional needs and their teachers, as a means to support and enhance interpersonal communication.