We were delighted when The British Academy selected HUG as one of their #Connected Knowledge case studies to celebrate how interdisciplinary research can make a real difference to the world.
When we began our LAUGH #design for #dementia research @CardiffMet, funded by the @AHRC, we had limited understanding of dementia but a good deal of heartfelt passion about creating a better and more caring world. Our desire was to bring a smile, stimulate laughter and bring joy to people living with advanced dementia. We had no idea our research would result in creating something that would bring comfort to so many people.
We are very grateful to the many experts who were involved in our LAUGH and LAUGH EMPOWERED research process (artists, scientists, technologists, medics, care professionals and people with lived experience of dementia and stroke). They provided insights that helped shape our design ideas and made the creative magic happen.
We need STEM and SHAPE ‘connected knowledge’ to make this a better world……we also need to hear the voices of ‘experts by experience’ …. ordinary people who are living with the challenges we are addressing in our research.