Research

ImaginationLancaster addresses complex contemporary challenges and opportunities by working across traditional university boundaries and linking disciplines.

We conduct applied and theoretical research into people, products, places and their interactions. We use innovative strategies that combine practice-based methods arising from design and the arts with science and social science methods. We address challenges such as climate change, urban density, an increasingly ageing society, health and wellbeing, inequalities in wealth within and across countries and continents, knowledge exchange, and rapid technological change.

Current Research Activities

A Practice-Based Approach to Design ResearchA Practice-Based Approach to Design Research A Practice-Based Approach to Design Research Exploring new creative directions in product design to include sustainable principles.
BridgeBridge Bridge Bridging resources and agencies in large-scale emergency management
Brief EncountersBrief Encounters Brief Encounters An AHRC Network project to explore new forms of collaborative design processes
CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change)CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change) CaTalyST: Citizens Transforming Society (Tools for Change) This £1.5 million EPSRC funded 4 year project examines the role of new technology in citizen led ...
Data ArtsData Arts Data Arts An investigation into emerging approaches to visualising, interpreting and using data.
DeEP: Design in European PoliciesDeEP: Design in European Policies DeEP: Design in European Policies Evaluating and Sharing Design Innovation Policies for European Growth
Design and Production for SustainabilityDesign and Production for Sustainability Design and Production for Sustainability Research into the nature and form of functional objects
Design for WellbeingDesign for Wellbeing Design for Wellbeing how design contributes to health and well-being
Environment 2.0Environment 2.0 Environment 2.0 Investigating new forms of social sensing and participatory observation of local environment and climate.
HighWireHighWire HighWire Creating Innovative People for Radical Change
Innovation Theory/PracticeInnovation Theory/Practice Innovation Theory/Practice Understanding through challenging: Innovation and Design
Innovation through Improved Service & DesignInnovation through Improved Service & Design Innovation through Improved Service & Design A series of 3 workshops aiming at introducing Design to manufacturing SMEs with a particular focus on the ...
New IDEASNew IDEAS New IDEAS To develop, refine and disseminate highly innovative knowledge exchange approaches to local, academic and ...
New Interaction OrderNew Interaction Order New Interaction Order New(?) mobile behaviour in public spaces
PROUDPROUD PROUD People Researchers and Organisations Using Design for Co-Creation and Innovation. Working with designers, ...
Service Design ResearchService Design Research Service Design Research Research into the development of Service Design as a discipline
The Creative ExchangeThe Creative Exchange The Creative Exchange Creating New Contexts for Growth in the Experience Economy
The Spirit of Design The Spirit of Design The Spirit of Design Research that expands understandings of sustainability to include notions of personal meaning that ...
Urban FuturesUrban Futures Urban Futures Sustainable Regeneration - from evidence-based urban futures to implementation

Past Research Activities

Design2020Design2020 Design2020 The UK design industry in 2020
Design In PracticeDesign In Practice Design In Practice Flexibility and change for healthcare service providers
Structural IDEAS Exchange Structural IDEAS Exchange Structural IDEAS Exchange Research into the exchange of knowledge exchange structures rather than the exchange of knowledge itself.

Latest Updates

PROUD launch Lancaster Co-design Challenge

PROUD launch Lancaster Co-design Challenge

The PROUD project officially launched in the UK on Tuesday 8th May at ImaginationLab. Over 100 people from business, academic, government and local communities came to hear how co-design is being used to solve complex societal challenges in Lancashire and across Northern Europe.

Keynote...Read full update

Getting to Grips with Knowledge Exchange for New IDEAS

Getting to Grips with Knowledge Exchange for New IDEAS

The first few weeks of my time at Imagination focusing on the New IDEAS project have flown by.  During this time, I have had the opportunity to design the mechanisms used in a workshop, produce the design for the New IDEAS project logo, been part of an interview panel for a new...Read full update

The PROUD Sensitising Event 'City Park' Workshop at The Storey

The PROUD Sensitising Event 'City Park' Workshop at The Storey

An event at the Storey Creative Industries Centre to turn project consultation in the start of a co-design process. Here people started to design the intervention process for the next 6 months.

The Lancaster City Park initiative was discussed last month at a consultation event, and last...Read full update

PROUD and Co-Design for Local Councillors

PROUD and Co-Design for Local Councillors

Proud sensitising event with the elected members of Lancaster City Council

We ran a sensitizing event recently (on the 23rd April) with a delegation of councilors from Lancaster City Council. This was a very interesting group, we have very good relationships with the Officers of the City...Read full update

Preparing for Creative Conversations

Preparing for Creative Conversations

Imagination delivered a workshop with the theme of 'Creative Conversations' on Friday 20th April as part of the Brief Encounters project.

On Friday, 20th April, Imagination’s Dr Leon Cruickshank delivered a forty-five minute workshop at City University in London as part of the AHRC Network...Read full update