The Glasgow School of Art

Interaction Design for Health Care

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Gordon Hush
Co-Supervisor: Dr Tara French

The correlation between computer and technology propelled Poopak Azhand to study Computer Engineering. Later, she moved into Industrial Design and graduated with honours in MA. Industrial Design from the University of Tehran, and then MDes. Design Innovation and Interaction Design from Glasgow School of Art. In order to achieve her ultimate goal, improving health and wellbeing by gaining awareness and producing knowledge, she has seen the need to further her education at PhD level. Her interests include interaction design, social interaction, technology, mental health, health and wellbeing and affordance.
Technologies have changed people’s existence and their relationships with the world, however, the complex patterns of people’s interaction with the technologies are not yet understood completely. For this project, interaction design is not only concerned with technology, but also with societal (economic, cultural and political) structures that shape and are shaped by technology. Hence, understanding design not only as interaction design but also as the design of society is fundamental. Consequently, this PhD aims to explore both innovative and methodological frameworks, particularly in designing interactions in order to enhance mental health technologies.
This project aims to explore holistic approaches to transform mental health through the lens of an interaction designer. Effective leverage of the advancements of new mental health technologies, however, hinges on user-centred approaches and design – to understand the needs of the target population and design effective interventions to support mental health. Therefore, patients and practitioners will be placed at the centre-stage of this research in order to enhance technology development and implementation – using interaction design as space in-between technology development and human agency. This project attempts to empower communities and create a dynamic process backed by a close and collaborative relationship between the researcher and stakeholders.

https://poopakazhand7.wixsite.com/poopakazhand/cv