Dr Katie Gaudion
- Senior Research Associate
-
The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design
Dr Katie Gaudion is an interdisciplinary designer, researcher and facilitator.
Katie’s work explores how design can better support neurodiversity and wellbeing in the built environment. Over the past decade, she has collaborated closely with neurodivergent individuals across a wide range of settings, including supported living accommodation, healthcare environments, workplaces, education, gardens, museums and public spaces.
Katie led the Design for Mind scoping study in collaboration with the British Standards Institution (BSI), which helped inform the development of PAS 6463-guidelines for designing the built environment with neurodivergence in mind. She also served on the PAS 6463 steering group, contributing specialist insight to this nationally significant work. Her research and practice have been widely published and presented internationally, and her work has been recognised for its impact on inclusive design, receiving the Design Research for Healthy Cities Healthy City Design Award in 2025.
Since 2010, Katie has played a key role in expanding the focus of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design (HHCD), developing design methods and practices that address hidden disabilities and neurodiversity, including autism and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her work brings a distinctive and human-centred perspective to design, contributing to greater social equity, inclusion and wellbeing within the built environment.
Key details
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Research projects
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Publications, exhibitions, other outcomes
Publications
Gaudion, K., Pellicano. (2016). The Triad of Strength:A strengths based approach for designing with autistic adults with additional learning disabilities, HCI International 2016 Conference, Toronto.
Gaudion, K. (2015) A designer’s Approach: Exploring how autistic adults with additional learning disabilities experience their home environment. PhD thesis, Royal College of Art, London.
Gaudion, K., Hall, A., Myerson, J. and Pellicano L. (2015) A Designer's Approach how Autistic Adults with Learning Disabilities can be Involved in the Design Process? CoDesign
Gaudion, K., Hall, A., Myerson, J. and Pellicano L. (2014) Design and Wellbeing: Bridging the Empathy Gap Between Neurotypical Designers and People with Autism. In Design for Sustainable Well-Being and Empowerment: Select Papers. Indian Institute of Science and TU Delft Joint Publication
Gaudion, K. (2013) Designing Everyday Activities: Living environments for adults with autism The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art. ISBN 978-1-907342-81-3
Gaudion, K. & McGinley, C. (2012) Green Spaces: Outdoor environments for adults with autism The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art. ISBN 978-1-907342-64-6
Gaudion, K. & Brand, A. (2012) Exploring Sensory Preferences: Living environments for adults with autism The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art. ISBN 978-1-907342-49-3
Gaudion, K. & Brand, A. (2012) Ready Steady Make: A guide to making sensory Props The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art
Gaudion, K. (2010) The Multi-Sensory Environment (MSE): Encouraging play and promoting well-being for all ages Cumulus conference, Shanghai
Keynotes and Presentations
Gaudion, K. (2016) The Triad of Strength:A strengths based approach for designing with autistic adults with additional learning disabilities, HCI International 2016 Conference, Toronto, Canada, July 2016
Gaudion, K., Brand, A. (2015) Sense-able: A design led approach to sensory profiling for autistic people. Autism and Good Practice in Design, The Royal College of Art, London, October 2015
Gaudion, K (2015) Bridging Empathy, Autism and Good Practice in Design, The Royal College of Art, London, October 2015
Gaudion, K. (2014) Autism and Aesthetics of the Everyday. Aesthetics and children/youth with special needs. Oslo school of Architecture & Design, Oslo, Norway
Gaudion, K. (2015) The Role of Design in Social Innovation. Conference: International Public Design Symposium. Korea Craft and Design Foundation, South Korea
Gaudion, K. (2012) Kent Challenging Behaviour Network Conference, Kent, September 2012
Gaudion, K. (2012) Touch Thinking Symposium, Northumbria University, London, July 2012
Gaudion, K. (2012) Feather and Toothbrush, Inspiring Matters Conference, London, April 2012
Gaudion, K. (2011) Neuroscience of Creativity Research Seminar, Royal College of Art, November 2011
Gaudion, K. (2011) Snoezelen Conference, Paris, October 2011
Gaudion, K. (2012) Include Conference, London, April 2011
Gaudion, K. (2011) Delft University of Technology, Holland, March 2011
Gaudion, K. (2010) The International Snoezelen Association Congress: Alabama USA, Oct 2010
Gaudion, K. (2010) The Cumulus 2010
Gaudion, K. (2010) Conference: Shanghai, China, Sept 2010
Gaudion, K. (2010) DARE Summer School: Beijing, China, Sept 2010
Gaudion, K. (2009) The Plastic Electronics Conference: Germany, Nov 2009
Gaudion, K. (2012) The International Snoezelen Symposium: Denmark, Oct 2009