Dr Sadhana Jagannath PhD
Academic and research departments
Environmental Psychology Research Group (EPRG), School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Biography
My research focuses on the psychology of the built environment. I particularly examine the intersection between the architectural design of the built environment and its influence and impacts on people's transactions with it.
I completed my PhD in 2023 at Surrey focusing on residential environments. I examined the effect of flexible home designs, and residents' behaviours of making changes to their homes, on their wellbeing. I worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Stirling on the Designing homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing (DesHCA) project (2023-2024) and currently hold a research associate in human-centred design at Imperial College London (2024) looking at pro-environmental behaviour intervention in Operating theatres at the Imperial NHS Trust.
As a visiting researcher, I contribute to the research and teaching activities at the Environmental Psychology Research Group (EPRG) at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
University roles and responsibilities
- Visiting Researcher
- Associate Tutor
My qualifications
Academic networks
News
In the media
ResearchResearch interests
Architecture psychology, designing for wellbeing, health and ageing, user-empowerment through design, health and ageing, environmental settings, residential environments, built environments, pro-environmental behaviour, behaviour change in built environments,
Research collaborations
Dr Clara Weber, Senior Research Associate, Business Administration and Human Resources Competency Group, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZWAH, Switzerland.
Dr Kirsi Salonen, Postdoctoral Researcher, EnviWell Research Group, Tampere University, Finland
Research interests
Architecture psychology, designing for wellbeing, health and ageing, user-empowerment through design, health and ageing, environmental settings, residential environments, built environments, pro-environmental behaviour, behaviour change in built environments,
Research collaborations
Dr Clara Weber, Senior Research Associate, Business Administration and Human Resources Competency Group, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZWAH, Switzerland.
Dr Kirsi Salonen, Postdoctoral Researcher, EnviWell Research Group, Tampere University, Finland
Teaching
Teaching support for MSc Environmental Psychology module on Psychology of Architecture and Planning
Publications
The ‘othering’ of ageing is linked to an integrated process of ageism and hinders planning for the future for both individuals and practitioners delivering housing and health services. This paper aims to explore how creative interventions can help personalise, exchange knowledge and lead to system changes that tackle the ‘othering’ of ageing. The Designing Homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing (DesHCA) project offers new and creative insights through an innovative methodology utilising ‘serious games’ with a co-produced tool called ‘Our House’ that provides insights into how to deliver housing for older people for ageing well in place. In a series of playtests with over 128 people throughout the UK, the findings show that serious games allow interaction, integration and understanding of how ageing affects people professionally and personally. The empirical evidence highlights that the game mechanisms allowed for a more in-depth and nuanced consideration of ageing in a safe and creative environment. These interactions and discussions enable individuals to personalise and project insights to combat the ‘othering’ of ageing. However, the solutions are restrained as overcoming the consequences of ageism is a societal challenge with multilayered solutions. The paper concludes that serious gaming encourages people to think differently about the concept of healthy ageing—both physically and cognitively—with the consideration of scalable and creative solutions to prepare for ageing in place.