Kristina Niedderer

Professor Kristina Niedderer holds the position of Professor of Design and Professorial Research Lead for Design at Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester School of Art (since 2018). Her career spans academic roles at the University of Hertfordshire (2005–2007) and the University of Wolverhampton (2007–2018), where she advanced to full professorship. Originally trained as a goldsmith and silversmith in Germany, she transitioned to design research in the UK, focusing on mindful design for behavior change, dementia care innovation, and craft theory.

Her research emphasizes design's role in fostering mindful interaction and behavior change, particularly in healthcare and sustainability contexts. Notable projects include the MinD project (2016–2020), exploring dementia self-empowerment through design, and the IDoService project (2020–2022), co-developing services to enhance social participation for people with dementia. She co-founded the journal Craft Research (2008) and served as Secretary for Special Interest Groups in the Design Research Society (2007–2019).

Her work bridges theory and practice, integrating craft innovation with technological advancements. Key outputs include the book Design for Behaviour Change (2018) and contributions to dementia care methodologies. She leads interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with EU-funded initiatives, emphasizing participatory design and user-centered approaches.

Professor Niedderer's academic leadership includes editorial roles and peer review for AHRC, European Commission, and WHO projects. Her research portfolio spans over 50 peer-reviewed articles, books, and conference presentations, reflecting her commitment to advancing design's impact on societal challenges.