| Dr Ross Head |
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Dr Ross Head BSc (Hons), PhD Dr Ross Head studied BSc (Hons) Product Design at Swansea Metropolitan University where he then gained his PhD in Digital Design Methodologies for Glass Product Design and Manufacture. He is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering at the University where he is also the academic supervisor and R&D Product Designer at Cerebra innovation Centre (CIC). CIC is a product design and research team funded by the national charity Cerebra whose head offices are based in Carmarthen. Working in dialogue with members of the charity who are unable to find products or equipment suitable for their children`s specific requirements Cerebra Innovation Centre aims to implement standard product design and engineering practices in the development of specialized equipment for brain injured children. In doing so they wish to combine the necessary function of a product with the aesthetic attributes of mass produced products. Cerebra Innovation Centre focuses on issues relating to social inclusion for their clients whilst producing useful and functional products to help in their everyday lives. CIC aim to use their extensive product design and electronics knowledge coupled with in depth research and collaboration with health care professionals to address this problem for the small yet significant number of their clients. It is also their intention to manufacture these products themselves in the near future. Cerebra Innovation Centre is a small research, development and product design team run by the national charity Cerebra. We undertake many design projects initiated by our clients (the members of the charity) and we develop, design and produce products for their use. We have worked on projects such as communication devices for autistic children, bath seats for CP sufferers and many more. The idea being that, although some equipment is available already, they often are not aesthetically pleasing to look at and are therefore not so user-friendly. We at CIC are intent on developing logical solutions that aim to reduce some of the social stigma attached to disabilities by making stylish yet functional products. Dr. Head and CIC are developing a SAD Light Alarm Clock which by the use of gradual colour change will simulate the Sunrise allowing the child to gently wake up with the light. It will then provide a twenty-minute light therapy session. As part of this they are collaborating with artist Fern Thomas who is developing a sound piece `Sonic Sunrise`, which will function as part of the final light product, and will complement the simulation of the sunrise using soft tones and recorded sounds from nature. Many of the sounds will be slowed down creating a space `removed` from real time similar to that of a dream or a memory that hopefully, alongside the light, will provide a calming effect and stimulate the imagination. Current Research Interests:
Recent Publications:
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