GW4 Crucible Cohorts

Alyssa is a lecturer in the School of Psychological Science at the University of Bristol. She has a multidisciplinary background in psychology, computing, education, and design. Her main research interests focus on using the neurodiversity paradigm and participatory methods to develop evidence-based interventions that facilitate children’s and young people’s educational inclusion and wellbeing. She is also strongly interested in supporting better understanding and wider adoption of participatory research and design methods. Prior to her role at Bristol, Alyssa was based at the University of Edinburgh Division of Psychiatry as the research and impact lead for the Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) project, and has also worked at the Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) at the UCL Institute of Education, and the University of Edinburgh School of Informatics. 

Dr Chloe Asker (University of Exeter) is an postdoctoral researcher and creative facilitator. They use creative methods to explore experiences of health, wellbeing, trauma, and shame. Chloe completed a PhD in Human Geography at the University of Exeter, which investigated the relationship between mindfulness, mental health, and recovery. Their lived experience as a queer and neurodivergent person informs Chloe’s current research interests, which aim to advance a ‘neuro-queer’ approach to creativity and wellbeing. In their creative practice, they have collaborated with the ‘Section 28 and its Afterlives’ project at the University of Exeter delivering collage workshops on the legacies and histories of Section 28.

Hitesh Dommati is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Bath, focusing on two projects: fabricating haptic feedback wearables using 3D printing technologies and developing robust devices. Both projects emphasize open-source research and societal impact through innovative technologies. Hitesh has completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and continued to work as a post-doctorate at National Taipei univeristy of technology, Taiwan  focusing on additive manufacturing of ceramics materials. His research contributions had a significant impact in ceramics 3D printing, water filtration, and phase-change materials.

Before his doctoral studies, he worked in the 3D printing industry, designing commercial 3D printers used by hobbyists, educational institutions, and industries. Earlier in his career, he trained industry professionals in automation technologies as an industrial automation trainer. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaborations, Hitesh is committed to advancing innovative technologies to create meaningful societal impact.

Michael’s BA was in English Language and Literature from Oxford. He then did an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at Central School of Speech and Drama and worked for a decade as a theatre maker and semiotician, before returning to academia with an MSc in Medical Humanities at King’s College, London. His PhD at Leeds was cross-supervised between psychiatry and English. He co-designed a medical humanities BSc at Imperial before joining Exeter as part of the Waiting Times project. Michael is now co-director for public engagement at the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health at Exeter. His forthcoming monograph – The Madness of Meaning – is a semiotic dissection of ‘psychosis.’ He is currently collaborating with people who see, hear and sense things others don’t, using creative methodologies to disrupt ‘disruptive’ technologies like AI and their use in mental health diagnostics and therapeutics.

David received a degree in Electronics Engineering and a MEng in Industrial Automation from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia, as well as a MSc in Automation and Robotics from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain. Afterwards, he was awarded a PhD in Engineering and Technology at Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium. He is now working as a postdoctoral researcher at University of Bristol, UK.

David’s research is at the intersection of artificial intelligence, collective intelligence, and robotics. He focuses on investigating how to use optimization and machine learning concepts to design large groups of intelligent and self-organizing autonomous robots—the robot swarms. David is active in the popularization of swarm robotics research through science communication activities.

She obtained an MA from the University of Warsaw (2007) and a PhD from the University of Kent (2011). She subsequently won two Marie Curie Fellowships to work as a research fellow at the University of Amsterdam and the University of Rochester (2012-2017). Gosia joined the University of Bath in September 2017. Gosia has an extensive track record of quantitative work in creativity (13 research papers) and emotion research (3 recent papers). In her quantitative work on creativity, Gosia explored how creativity is influenced by experiences of social diversity and multiculturalism, as well as other social (e.g., organisational culture) and individual (e.g., personality) factors that foster or hinder creativity. This work has equipped her with practical and theoretical knowledge of best practices for measuring creative performance across various contexts, from research labs to real-world organisational settings. In her teaching of creativity research, she has conveyed findings on creativity across multiple disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, economics, and sociology. This background enables her to relay those research findings and perspectives to colleagues from other disciplines, fostering effective communication and joint project development. More recently, she has also developed an interest in epistemic emotions (awe, curiosity, interest, surprise, confusion, and boredom). She investigates how these emotions relate to knowledge formation, learning, and creativity.

More recently, Gosia set up the OpenMind Lab, a research group whose core focus is the study of epistemic emotions (e.g., awe, curiosity, interest, surprise), their commonalities and differences, “flavours,” and downstream consequences for (social) psychology. Members of Gosia’s group study emotions in the awe family (awe, admiration, elevation) and epistemic emotions (awe, curiosity, interest, surprise, boredom, and confusion). They conduct research using surveys and experiments, field studies (e.g., a recent collaboration with the Cambridge Science Centre), and Virtual Reality environments. As epistemic emotions regulate people’s behaviour in learning situations, this research is highly relevant to contexts in which people learn, create, or interact with new technologies.

Karen holds a BA and PhD in Literature from the University of Cambridge. After a number of years spent working outside academia, in 2020 she completed a second doctorate at the University of Worcester, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society. This explored the methodological challenges of evaluating arts activities for people living with dementia. She has since held postdoctoral research roles at the Universities of Leeds and Exeter and at Brunel University. At the University of Bristol, she is currently working on an NIHR-funded research project seeking to build the capacity of adult social care to use research, and in 2024 she led a short collaborative project based around a seasonal programme of activities for people in care homes based around growing, brewing and beer. She is particularly interested in how we can better articulate and share the value of arts and leisure activities that support people’s wellbeing.

Sylvia is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Climate Communication and Data Science (C3DS) at the University of Exeter, an interdisciplinary team combining social science and computational approaches to understand the communication of climate and environmental crises across news, entertainment, and other media. In 2024 Sylvia was awarded her ESRC-funded PhD, titled ‘“How am I supposed to do this?”: Navigating the use of visuals in the production of digital climate change journalism’, which used a qualitative ethnographic approach to understand the way that images are used and reproduced in specialist online climate change news sites. Sylvia’s research interests are climate change communication, social media, visual imagery, photography/photojournalism, and digital media. Sylvia has previously published research on the visual communication of various climate change themes, including heatwaves in Europe and the representation of climate change protesters in UK news media and global image banks.

Jess Hoare is an emerging researcher at the intersection of heritage, culture, and technology, with over a decade of industry experience collaborating with leading institutions across the UK. She has worked with Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, Arts Council England, the National Trust, and many others. As Programme Manager at Nesta, Dr. Hoare led the Digital Innovation Fund for Wales, and she also held an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data. In her role at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, she developed a strategic approach to technology, focusing on collaborations and the use of XR technologies to improve access for disabled groups. Her research explores how technology can enhance storytelling and cultural experiences, especially in heritage sites. Jess is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, currently serving on the Advisory Board for South West Museum Development, where she advises museums on improving access across their operations.

Dani is an interdisciplinary researcher with a focus on collaborative and creative approaches. She completed a BA in Geography, a MA in Latin American Studies, and a PhD in International Politics exploring memorialisation of enforced disappearance in contemporary Mexico. Between those degrees she has worked on academic projects on urban regeneration, death studies, and public health. She has worked in local government, as a Project Officer on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for a social enterprise on housing, public data, and regeneration. Dani is currently Research Fellow in the Centre for Public Health at the University of Bristol, developing a complex intervention to increase children’s physical activity in primary schools. Across these diverse projects and fields, she is driven by applying creative and collaborative approaches to research on issues of public importance, to improve community participation in research, facilitate person-centred solutions, and communicate findings accessibly.

Dr. Harriet Hunt is a Research Fellow exploring the intersection of health systems, human behaviour, and the natural world. She holds a PhD in Medical Research from the University of Exeter Medical School, and focuses on creating evidence for decision making to advance health equity. Her research spans mental health, diagnostic appraisal, and nature-based interventions, often collaborating with organizations like NICE, WHO, and Cochrane. Harriet’s work emphasizes public involvement in research, enhancing real-world impact. Her projects include evaluating green social prescribing, addressing obesity, improving dementia diagnosis, and optimizing healthcare protocols during COVID-19. She combines rigorous research with accessible, creative communication to inform decision-making based on clear evidence.

Mohammed has a background in sports and obtained a BSc in Exercise Biomedicine in Sweden and an MSc in Sport Science in the Netherlands. With a strong interest in health and physical activity, he completed his PhD at Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he conducted foundational studies examining automatic processes underlying physical activity behavior in children. His experience spans a broad range, from sports performance, including physiology and talent development, to health psychology. Currently, he works as a Research Associate at Cardiff University, where he is involved in the REDUCE trial, which aims to reduce the risk and occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers, as well as research exploring how affect and emotions influence health behaviors.

Chen-Yu is a Lecturer at the School of Journalism, Media, and Culture (JOMEC), Cardiff University. She earned both her MA and PhD from the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Liverpool. Beginning her journey by forming a band and later transitioning into the academic study of popular music, Chen-Yu has cultivated a deep interest in the intertwined relationships between music, cultural politics, and identities, as well as their influence on the production and consumption of popular music. Her work is grounded in interdisciplinary approaches, including filmmaking and memory mapping. Chen-Yu has directed and produced research documentary films for several academic projects, earning four shortlistings for the prestigious AHRC Research in Film Awards (RIFA). In addition to her research and teaching, Chen-Yu has extensive experience as a music industry professional and writer in both the UK and the Sinophone world. She has collaborated with festivals, policymakers, and other external organisations, including Liverpool Sound City, the Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan, and Q Magazine China.

Shujun obtained her PhD in Journalism and Communication from Tsinghua University and served as a visiting scholar at the University of Amsterdam during her doctoral studies. Prior to her PhD, she worked as an international news reporter for Xinhua News Agency in China. After completing her doctorate, Shujun joined Cardiff University as a research associate on the ESRC-funded project “Understanding Society: Linking Twitter Data with Survey Data.” She is currently a research associate at DECIPHer (Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity, and Implementation in Public Health Improvement) at Cardiff University. Her latest research focuses on mobile phone and digital media usage among children and adolescents, involving interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in psychology, public health, and communication. Shujun is passionate about communicating and exploring the impact of technological transformations on the lives of future generations through an interdisciplinary and cross-national lens.

Alissa Mello is a scholar, editor, theatre artist and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellow (2022 – 2025). Their interests include women and performance, gender, identity and theatre practice. Their current project is a trans-historical study of women practitioners and performances of gender in Punch & Judy. They have presented at numerous international conferences. Publications include journal articles, book chapters, and as an editor: Sandglass Theater: The Time Before the Glass Turns Over (2022) with Andrew Periale, Women and Puppetry: Critical and Historical Investigations (2019) with Claudia Orenstein and Cariad Astles (recipient of the 2022 UNIMA-USA Nancy Staub Award and finalist for ATHE’s 2020 Excellence in Editing Award), and two forthcoming edited volumes under contract with Routledge:

• Race, Gender and Disability in Puppetry and Material Performance, co-edited with Paulette Richards and Laura Purcell-Gates
• Making Meaning with Puppets: Material, Performance, Perception with Dassia Posner and Claudia Orenstein.

They were a founding member of Inkfish, and performed and choreographed with Theodora Skipitares, Anna Kiraly, Jane Catherine Shaw and Ishara Puppet Theater. They were a Fulbright Teaching Fellow at Listaháskóli Íslands (2018) and from 2019 – 2022 they were the Managing Director at Sandglass Center for Puppetry and Theater Research. Since 2023, they are the editor of UNIMA-USA’s biannual journal Puppetry International.

Christian obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History from the University of Leeds and then went to Cardiff University to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology. He then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University. Following his Master’s degree, Christian completed his professional chartership and registered as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist, through the British Psychological Society (BPS). He a fully chartered member of the BPS and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Christian has a dual career as a lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Applied Psychology and works as an applied practitioner psychologist. His research projects have explored the use of structured self-reflection in stress and resilience and managing pressure and expectations at major international home tournaments. Christian is particularly interested in the application of research and in exploring ways of creating and applying research to make a positive difference to communities and society.

Pablo obtained a Master’s in City and Regional Planning at Oxford Brookes University and then worked in the planning department at Fareham Borough Council. He went on to complete a PhD at University of Bristol investigating the sustainability and scalability of eco self-build community housing. He is now a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol for the interdisciplinary UKPRP-funded TRUUD project (truud.ac.uk). His research applies systems thinking approaches to map and understand how health is considered in urban development decision-making and evaluate the cross-system effects of TRUUD interventions. Pablo enjoys working in an interdisciplinary environment and experimenting with new and innovative ways to learn and solve complex problems. His overarching research aim is to drive a transition towards a regenerative built environment that enhances the health and vibrancy of social and ecological systems and creates the conditions for all life to flourish.

Alex obtained a MPhys Physics degree from Durham University in 2009. Following two years in the wilderness he returned to Academia to complete a PhD in Materials Science at Oxford. He then moved to Spain to work as Postdoc at ICFO in Barcelona developing novel materials for 3D printing. He now works as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter researching electromagnetic and electromechanical metamaterials. He combines physics, engineering, origami and advanced materials to build structures with previously unknown properties. Although his research to date has been quite technically focussed, Alex has an especial interest in the role of creativity in science, and is interested in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers from the Arts and Social Sciences.

Dr Emmylou Rahtz holds a PhD in social psychiatry from Queen Mary University of London focusing on psychological responses to physical trauma. She is a Research Fellow at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter. With expertise in realist research, epidemiology and qualitative methods – particularly creative approaches – Dr Rahtz uses mixed methods research to explore to explore how social, cultural, and natural environments shape the mind-body connection. Her current work focuses on tackling health inequalities in access to urban green spaces, aiming to enhance physical and mental well-being through inclusive and equitable engagement with nature. She also has a keen interest in transformative and spiritual experiences that arise from time spent in nature.

Mike is a cognitive psychologist and human-computer interaction specialist, and currently works at the University of Bath as a Postdoc where he researches audience experiences of immersive performance. Mike is a part of MyWorld and the CREATE lab, where he collaborates with a number of high-profile arts organisations to produce interdisciplinary research on how audiences become immersed in stories and technology, such as virtual reality. Previously, Mike obtained his PhD in Psychology on the topic of assistive technology for people with sensory impairments, including developing specialised equipment for visually impaired rock climbers. Mike is a keen advocate for science communication and has previously worked as a science presenter teaching psychology and neuroscience to kids through interactive science shows.

Sam obtained her MRes and PhD in Education at the University of Bath, funded by the Economic Social Research Council (ESRC). Using ethnographic approaches drawn from Social Sciences, her research focused on children’s socialisation from a child-centred perspective in the context of school mealtimes. She is now working as a Senior Research Associate in Bristol Medical School, at University of Bristol. Her current ethnographic research sets out to identify and characterise the role of individual, social and community contexts and how they relate to transitions into and out of chronic pain. This research is based within a multidisciplinary research team. Sam is passionate about exploring and amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, co-creating knowledge, and understanding the psychosocial dynamics that shape lived experiences.

Lisa is a dance artist and researcher investigating the intersections of dance, embodiment, and technology. Her PhD investigated the role of digital technologies in performance, combining dance-somatic and improvisation practices with multi-person VR technology. She directed VR participatory performance work Soma (Bloomsbury Theatre, 2022), and binaural experience Unlocking Touch in collaboration with UCL (Digital InTouch Lab, 2022). She is currently a Senior Research Associate at the ESRC funded Centre for Sociodigital Futures at the University of Bristol. The centre is concerned with intra-actions between society and digital technologies and how people can engage in futures in the making. Her most current research explores predictive AI systems used for identification of vulnerable young people as the object of inquiry and considers the impact of techno-solutionism on their futures. She is interested in how we are embodied with different technologies, what futures might we want for our ‘data bodies’ and how we might inhabit them.

Hayley holds a BA in Screen Studies from Liverpool John Moores University and a PhD awarded by the University of Liverpool. As a Research Fellow at SPARK, Cardiff University’s social science research park, she specialises in creative and participatory methods, focusing on co-production, storytelling, future-thinking, and system change. She co-founded the Creative and Innovative Research Methods Community of Practice and co-established Cathays Futures, a programme using Design and Participatory Futures for knowledge mobilisation and co-production. Beyond academia, Hayley has a career in the third-sector, starting as a volunteer at a media training centre for adults with learning disabilities in Wigan and currently leading a social change charity. She has collaborated across the UK and Europe to dismantle hierarchies and promote equitable practices in research, policy, and public services. Her work reflects a strong commitment to social justice, designing and delivering co-production activities that amplify marginalised voices and foster systemic change.

Mitch Turnbull is an award-winning specialist factual documentary producer/director with over thirty-years industry experience in broadcast, digital and immersive production. She has made films and created immersive content for BBC Studios, National Geographic, Disneynature, Apple, Meta, Magic Leap, WWF-UK, RSPB and the United Nations. She holds a BA (Hons) in History of Modern Art, Design and Film and has taught a BA in Digital Media at the University of Gloucestershire where she designed and set up a new Immersive Production module. Mitch is currently working as a Senior Research Associate in Immersive Natural History Experiences at the University of Bristol investigating the superpowers of immersive technology to enhance engagement with the natural world with the aim to understand how nature-related immersive content can be best utilised to create transformative experiences.

Enrique obtained his BA in Film and TV studies at Universidad de Nacional in Colombia and went on to do an MA in World Heritage Studies at BTU Cottbus, Germany. He completed his PhD at Aberystwyth University focusing on producers of minority language media in Wales and Colombia. He studies how media and cultural products are transformed as they are brought into different markets, issues of identity and culture in media products in general, with a keen interest on minority languages. Enrique is open to creative and innovative ways to work interdisciplinary on social challenges.

Sofia is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Care Research at Cardiff University researching ageing well with chronic conditions with a particular focus on under-represented groups. She has expertise in arts and health, health inequalities, public involvement and co-production. Sofia has a particular interest in the different ways that creative social prescribing can contribute to the wellbeing of older people from under-represented groups. She uses ethnographic and creative methods to understand older people’s experiences of illness, treatment and wellbeing. She uses public involvement and engagement to identify culturally-appropriate ways to engage service users in research and impact activities. Sofia’s goal is to contribute to the delivery of speedier inexpensive innovation in older people’s health and social care services through engaged research.

Simone’s research spans multiple disciplines across the creative arts, psychology, health, and wellbeing. She completed a music performance degree (BMus) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, specialising in the violin. In 2024, Simone obtained a PhD and her thesis examined organisational stress and wellbeing of professional and student musicians. Simone also has experience working as a musician and music teacher, as well as being a board member within the orchestral sector. Within this line of research, Simone is particularly interested in individual differences within the stress process and addressing workplace issues in the creative sector.

Simone has been a Systematic Reviewer at Cardiff University since 2018 and works in the Specialist Unit for Review Evidence. She currently works on evidence synthesis projects for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Marie Curie. Simone has been a Co-Investigator for projects funded by the Welsh Government and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). She has also worked on evidence synthesis projects for the Centre for Homelessness Impact, and What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care. Simone is looking forward to working in an interdisciplinary way and bringing together her two workstreams.

Esther was awarded her PhD in History from the University of Warwick in 2019, joined Cardiff University in August 2020, and has been Senior Lecturer in Digital History since 2023. She works in the field of Historical Game Studies, keen to make sense of the way contemporary video games represent the past, and the role that digital marketing materials play in creating expectations for historically “authentic” interactive experiences. Her PhD research was published as Rockstar Games and American History: Promotional Materials and the Construction of Authenticity in 2022. Since 2021, she has been a co-convenor of the Historical Games Network, a space for academics, game makers, cultural heritage professionals, and the public to collaboratively explore the relationship between history and games, of all kinds.

Wei Zhou is an Assistant Professor (UK Lecturer) in the School of Computer Science at Cardiff University. Dr Zhou was a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Waterloo, Canada and received the Ph.D. degree in 2021. Wei was also a visiting scholar at National Institute of Informatics, Japan (2017), a research assistant with Intel (2016-2018), and a research intern at Microsoft Research (2018) and Alibaba Cloud (2019). Wei’s research interests mainly focus on perceptual image processing, multimodality, and human-centric visual computing. Dr Zhou is a Senior Member of IEEE and a committee member of British Standards Institution. Wei has led and participated in several funded projects from the USA, UK, Canada, and China, and has been an active participant in JPEG light field and point cloud standardization. Wei is now an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems (TNNLS), Pattern Recognition, and Neurocomputing. Dr Zhou has been named in the 2024 edition of the Stanford University list of World Top 2% Scientists.