Claire Craig

Professor Claire L Craig is a Professor of Design and Creative Practice in Health at Sheffield Hallam University, affiliated with the Department of Allied Health Professions and the College of Social Sciences and Arts. She holds dual roles as a qualified occupational therapist and academic researcher, focusing on the intersection of design, creativity, and healthcare. Her work emphasizes improving quality of life for older adults and those living with dementia through innovative interventions, with notable projects like the 'Journeying through Dementia' psychosocial intervention. She co-founded the Design for Health Journal and the Design4Health Conference, and serves as a Visiting Professor at Northumbria and Bradford Universities.

Education: PhD, MA (Oxon), BSc, and professional qualifications including FRCOT (Fellow of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists). Her research employs creative methods such as photography, art, and film to explore lived experiences, resulting in 8 authored books and over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Global collaborations include institutions in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Research interests span dementia care, aging, occupational therapy, and technology-enhanced health solutions. Key projects include the NESTORE initiative (designing digital tools for older adults) and Life Cafe (co-designed engagement methods). Awards include the National Teaching Fellowship (2012) and multiple teaching awards for contributions to occupational therapy education.

Teaching responsibilities include modules on occupational therapy leadership, professional development, and clinical reasoning across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She also supervises postgraduate research in creative aging, dementia interventions, and design for health.

Awards include: National Teaching Fellow (2012), College of Occupational Therapists Fellowship (2012), HEA Health Science Award, and the Vice Chancellor's Learning & Teaching Award. Her work informs national guidelines (NICE, Alzheimer Scotland) and has led to commercially available products and policy changes.

Labs/Teams: Co-director of Lab4Living, an interdisciplinary research group focusing on design, health, and creativity. Involved in international networks like the Design for Health Living Lab and the Social Transformation through Occupation Think Tank.