
Jo-Anne is a design anthropologist whose research involves multi / inter-disciplinary collaboration and participatory engagement in the inclusive design process.
Jo-Anne graduated from Goldsmiths College (University of London) with a BSc (Hons) in Social Anthropology. Her final dissertation 'Naked Ethnography: Ethnography in the Nude' was an ethnographic study of an East End Turkish bath that explored the contradictions of the ethnographic method.
After graduating Jo-Anne joined Goldsmith's department of Anthropology as a researcher for ESRC and MRC funded the Innovative Health Technologies programme. During this time, she also completed an MSc in Science Communication at Imperial College London. Her dissertation Enchantments and Controversies in the Age of Post-Modernity: The Brian Image, the Media and the Artefact explored the media’s understanding of neuroscience images.
Jo-Anne then became a Research Fellow at the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies at University College London (UCL) on the VivaCity 2020 consortium funded by the EPSRC's Sustainable Urban Environments Programme (SUE). She co-ordinated and undertook the research on 'The Inclusive Design of Public Toilets in City Centres' examining public toilet provision in seven English cities.
Key details
School, Centre or Area
Research projects
More information
Research interests
Jo-Anne’s research interests focus on Design Anthropology within the context of users participation in design through ethnographic processes; how users perceive design and how designers incorporate user experience into their work. She co-ordinates and leads Design Ethnography workshops for SKIP Across RCA, LDOC and the IE School of Architecture & Design (Madrid) MA summer school programme.
With Gail Ramster, Jo-Anne is co-creator of the The Great British Public Toilet Map and was runner up in the ESRC's Outstanding Impact in Society award. Jo-Anne has been recognised as a UCL Bartlett PhD Alumni Role Model.
Jo-Anne's previous research includes; Family Rituals 2.0 (Co-investigator) funded by the EPSRC; Mapping UK Conveniences (joint investigator with Gail Ramster) funded by the Nominet Trust (link); Robust Accessible Toilets (Principal investigator) funded by the ESRC as part of the Connected Communities programme; Tackling Ageing Continence through Theory Tools and Technology (TACT3 - co-investigator) funded by the Research Council UK (RCUK) New Dynamics of Ageing programme and Welcoming Workplace (co-investigator) funded by the AHRC/ESRC Designing for the 21st Century Programme.
Practice
Jo-Anne joined the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design in 2006 directing the Include conference programme (2007, 2009, 2011), and has gone on to develop the research symposia (a)Dressing the Ageing Demographic. She leads the work and city lab and co-ordinates RCUK and industrial research funded projects within the lab. Jo-Anne was the Principal Investigator on Robust Accessible Toilets (RATs) that explored the challenge of designing for crime prevention and accessibility in community toilet provision. She was Co-Investigator on TACT3, a multi-disciplinary project of designers, engineers, chemists, social and clinical researchers that investigated the design challenges presented by continence for an ageing population and lead the work package Challenging Environmental Barriers to Continence.
Jo-Anne was also Co-Investigator of the Welcoming Workplace that looked at challenges confronting those who plan and design offices within the 21st century knowledge economy. The research provided the foundation for the co-authored book New Demographics New Workspace with Jeremy Myerson and Alma Erlich.
Jo-Anne was a member of the i~design3 project. This research sought to provide tools that enable designers to think more inclusively and create innovative products and environments for older people and people with disabilities. i~design was funded by the EPSRC and is undertaken in partnership with Cambridge and Loughborough universities.
Publications, exhibitions, other outcomes
Books
Myerson, J., Bichard, J. & Erlich A. (2010) New Demographics, New Workspace: Office Design for the Changing Workforce, Gower, UK
Hanson, J., Bichard, J. & Greed C. (2007) The Accessible Toilet Design Resource, University College London (UCL), London
Book Chapters
Bichard, J., Alwani, R., Raby, E., West. & Spencer, J. (2018) 'Creating an Inclusive Architectural Intervention as a Research Space to Explore Community Well-being' in Breaking Down Barriers (Eds), Landon, P., Lazar, J., Heylighen, A. and Dong, H. New York, Springer
Bichard, J. (2015) ‘ExcLOOsion: How sanitary provision is failed by design’ in Korydon Smith, Charles davis and Beth Tauke (eds) Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences. London: Routledge
Bichard, J., Greene, C., Ramster, G. & Staples, T. (2013) ‘Designing Ethnographic Encounters for Enriched HCI in 'Interaction Models and Techniques for Ageing and Impairment': Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction Proceedings of HCI, Springer
Bichard, J. & Gheerawo, R. (2010) 'The Designer as Ethnographer: Practical Projects from Industry' in Design Anthropology. Eds. A Clarke & K Dankl, Springer
Myerson, J. & Bichard, J. (2009) 'Welcoming Workplace: Rapid Design Intervention to Determine the Office Environment Needs of Older Knowledge Workers' in Design for the 21st Century Volume 2: Interdisciplinary Methods and Findings. Ed. T. Inns, Gower, UK
Bichard, J. & Hanson, J. (2009) 'Inclusive Design of 'Away from Home' Toilets' in Designing Sustainable Cities. Eds R. Cooper, G Evans & C. Boyko. Wiley-Blackwell, UK
Bichard, J., Langdon, P. & Coleman, R. (2007) 'Does My Stigma Look big in this? Considering the Acceptability and Desirability in the Inclusive Design of Technology Products' in Universal Access In Human Computer Interaction. Coping with Diversity, Springer, Berlin/ Heidleberg,Germany pp 622-631
Bichard, J., Hanson, J. & Greed, C. (2006) 'Away from Home Public Toilet Design: Assessing user wants, needs and aspirations', in Designing Accessible Technology, Clarkson PJ, Langdon PM & Robinson P. (eds.) Springer, London
Journals (Peer Reviewed)
Ramster, G., Greed, C. & Bichard, J. (2018) How inclusion can exclude in Built Environment Forthcoming
Bichard, J. (2018) Editorial ‘Inclusive Design in the Built Environment’ in Built Environment Forthcoming
Ventura, J. & Bichard, J. (2016) 'Design Anthropology or Anthropological Design? Towards "Social Design"' in International Journal of Design Creativity and Innovation
Bichard, J & Gheerawo, R. (2013) ‘Editorial’ Inclusive Design in The Design Journal Special Edition Vol16 Issue 2 pp133-135, Bloomsbury Journals
Bichard, J. (2013) ‘Leaving the Anthropology Department Behind’ in the Journal of Finnish Anthropology
Bichard, J. & Knight, G. (2012) Improving public services through open data: The Great British Public Toilet Map in Municipal Engineer
Bichard et al (2012) Tackling Ageing Continence through Theory, Tools & Technology in Ageing & Society: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Common Ground
Bichard, J., Hanson, J. & Greed, C. (2008) 'Please Wash Your Hands' in Senses & Society, Vol 3:1, pp 79-84
Erlich, A & Bichard, J. (2008) 'The Welcoming Workplace: Designing for Ageing Knowledge Workers' in Journal of Corporate Real Estate Vol. 10 No. 4, pp.273-285
Professional Journals
Bichard, J., Knight. G. & Greene, C. (2010) 'Tackling Ageing Incontinence (TACT3)' in Access By Design, The Journal of the Centre for Accessible Environments, Spring
Gheerawo, R. & J. Bichard. (2008) 'Living Independently: accessing aspirations for kitchen design' in Access by Design: The Journal of the Centre for Accessible Environments Issue 114, Spring
Hanson, J., Bichard, J. & Greed, C. (2007) 'Accessible Public Toilets in City Centres: The final Instalment?' in Access By Design; The Journal of the Centre For Accessible Environments Issue 112, Autumn
Bichard, J. (2005) 'Inclusive Design of Away from Home Toilets: The Japanese example', Access By Design; Journal of the Centre for Accessible Environments Issue 104, Autumn
Hanson, J. Bichard, J. & Greed, C. (2004) 'Accessible Public Toilets in City Centres: The next instalment', Access By Design; Journal of the Centre for Accessible Environments Issue 101, Winter
Conference Proceedings (Papers)
Spencer, J., Alwani, R., Raby E., Bichard, J. and West, J. (2018) An Inclusive Design Approach to Improving Community Wellbeing: A Case Study of Architectural Interventions in Derry/Londonderry. Amps Conference: The Design, Planning and Politics of How and Where We Live, University of West England, Bristol, 25-26 January 2018.
Alwani, R., Raby, E., West, J., Bichard, J. and Spencer, J. (2017) Foyle Reeds: How can design reduce suicide attempts at a specific place whilst at the same time improving the experience for all? Design 4 Health Conference, Melbourne
Raby, E., Alwani, R., West, J., Bichard, J. and Spencer, J. (2017) How can design reduce suicide attempts through everyday social and civic spaces? Design 4 Health Conference, Melbourne
Bichard, J., Alwani, R., Raby E., West, J. and Spencer, J. (2017) The tale of a whale: creating a space for designing wellbeing in Northern Ireland. Healthy City Design, Royal College of Physicians, London 16-17 October 2017
Chatting, D., Kirk, DS., Durrant, AC., Elsden, C., Yurman, P. and Bichard, J. (2017) Making Ritual Machines: The Mobile Phone as a Networked Material for Research Products. Computer Human Interaction CHI Denver May 2017
Chatting, D., Yurman, P., Bichard, J. and Kirk, DS. (2017) Ritual Machine IV: A Message in a Jam. The Things of Design Research workshop. Computer Human Interaction CHI Denver May 2017
Chatting, D., Yurman, P., Green, D., Bichard, J.and Kirk, DS. (2017) Ritual Machine V: Where are You? Research Through Design, Edinburgh March 2017
Kunur, M., Langdon, P., Bradley, M., Bichard, J., Glazer, E., Clarkson, J. & Loeillet, J.J. (2015) `Creating Inclusive HMI Concepts for Future Cars Using Visual Scenario Storyboards through Design Ethnography',at HCI International 2015. Los Angeles, California. 2-7 August 2015
Glazer, E. & Bichard, J. (2015) `A Vehicle for Design Futures: Exploring the experience of driving in the here-and-now to inform an inclusive future' at Design Anthropological Futures. Research Network for Design Anthropology. Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, 12-14 August
Bichard, J. & Yurman, P. (2015) `The Ethnography of Absence: Mapping Emotions' at Design Anthropological Futures. Research Network for Design Anthropology. Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Denmark. 12-14 August 2015
Kunur, M., Langdon, P., Bradley, M., Bichard,, J., Glazer, E., Clarkson, J and Loeillet, J.J. (2015) ‘Creating inclusive HMI Concepts for Future Cars using Visual Scenario Storyboards through Design Ethnography’. Paper presented at HCI International 2015, Los Angeles, California, USA. 2-7 August 2015
Chatting, D., Kirk, D.S., Yurman, P. & Bichard. J. (2015) `Designing for Family Phatic Communication: A design critique approach' at British HCI 2015, University of Lincoln, 13-17 July 2015
Kazakos, K., Kirk, D., Durrant, A., Chatting, D., Yurman, P., Bichard, J., Paik, J. (2015) ‘Design led enquiry for mobile lives’. CHI Workshop, Seoul, 19 April 2015
Bichard, J., Yurman, P., Chatting, D & Kirk, D. (2014) Quotidian Ritual and Work Life Balance; an ethnography of not being there. EPIC Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference, Fordham University, New York 7-10 September 2014
Bichard, J., Jain, J., Kirk, D. & Ladkin, A. (2013) ‘Family Rituals 2.0. Overcoming distance in the work-life balance of mobile workers’ paper presented at University of Vienna
Bichard, J., Greene, C., Ramster, G. & Staples, T. (2013) ‘Designing Ethnographic Encounters for Enriched HCI in Interaction Models and Techniques for Ageing and Impairment: Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction Proceedings of HCI, Nevada, USA, Springer
Bichard, J & Ramster, G. (2013) ‘Pee-democracy: Opening data to the Great British Public Toilet Map’ in Online Communities and Social Computing, HCI, Nevada, USA, Springer
Bichard, J & Ramster, G. (2013) ‘New Digital Dynamics of Ageing; Tools to facilitate Policies The Great British Public Toilet Map’, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South Korea
Bichard, J. & Knight, G. (2011) 'Finding Public Toilets Through Applications and Open Data' in proceedings for Include 2011, RCA London.
Bichard, J. & Knight, G. (2011) 'Knowing Where to Go' Proceedings Open Space Open People - Inclusive Design for Getting Out of Doors. Edinburgh College of Art
Gheerawo, R., Bichard, J., Gaggero, C., Muhammad, Y., Westaway, A. (2010) 'Digital Barriers: Making Technology Work for People' in proceedings for International Association for Universal Design, 2010, Kyoto, Japan. October
Bichard, J. (2010) 'Everybody Goes: Designing Age-friendly Public Toilet Provision' in proceedings Cumulus Shanghai 2010 Young Creators for Better City Better Life Conference, Shanghai, China. September
Bichard, J. & Myerson, J. (2008) 'The Welcoming Workplace: Meeting the challenges of office design for older knowledge workers' in proceedings of International DMI Education Conference Design Thinking: New Challenges for Designers, Managers and Organizations ESSEC Business School, Cergy-Pontoise, Paris, France, 14-15 April
Lee Y, Bichard J & Coleman, R. (2008) 'Designing with Users - How? Investigating Users Involvement tactics for effective Inclusive Design Processes' International DMI Education conference, Paris, France
Bichard, J. (2007) 'Who put the P in Policy: The reality of guidelines and legislation in the design of the accessible toilet' in proceedings for Include 2007, RCA, London, UK
Lee, Y & Bichar,d J. (2006) 'From inclusive user research processes to universal design outputs: the cases of an inclusive design education programme' Proceedings of IAUD, 2nd International Conference on Universal Design, Kyoto, Japan
Bichard, J., Hanson, J. & Greed, C. (2005) 'Cognitive Aspects of Public Toilet Design', Human Computer Interaction International, Las Vegas, USA, July
Hanson, J., Bichard, J. & Greed, C. (2004) 'The Challenges of Designing Accessible Toilets in City Centres', Proceedings of the 20th Symposium on Toilets, Tokyo, Japan, November 2004, pp55-74
Hanson, J., Bichard, J. & Greed C. (2004) 'Personas, Narratives and Empowerment: Involving disabled users in the design of accessible 'away from home' toilets in city centres', proceedings of the 30th Congress of International Geographical Union, Glasgow, Scotland, August
Hanson, J., Bichard, J., Greed C. & Robinson M. (2004) 'Inclusive Design of Public toilets in City Centres', proceedings of the 2nd Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT) 22-24 March, Cambridge
Conference Proceedings (Abstracts and Posters)
Raby, E., Alwani, R., West, J. and Bichard, J (2017) Designing wellbeing into the built environment: ‘Our Future Foyle. At European Healthcare Design. London. 11-14 June 2017
Bichard et al. (2011) Tackling Ageing Continence through Theory, Tools & Technology Abstract published in Ageing & Society Inaugural Conference, 8-9 November 2011, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Bichard, J. & Knight, G. (2009) 'Out of Order: How the lack of public lavatories excludes older people from civic participation'. Abstract published in British Society of Gerontology Annual General Meeting, University of the West of England, Bristol, 2-4 Sept
Bichard, J. & Myerson, J. (2008) 'The Welcoming Workplace: Designing for extended working lives' Abstract published in International Federation of Ageing 9th Global Conference 'Ageing & Design' Montreal 4-7 September
Gheerawo, R. & Bichard, J. (2008) 'Accessing Aspirations - Inspirational Kitchen and Bathroom Design for Older People' Abstract published in International Federation of Ageing 9th Global Conference ' Ageing & Design' Montreal 4-7 September
Bichard, J, Boyko, C. & Mackay L. (2006) 'Crossing Boundaries: Inclusive design, urban planning and design against crime in Sheffield' Royal Geographical Society Institute of British Geographers Annual Conference, London
Bichard, J, Hanson, J. & Greed C. (2006) 'Our Toilets; Access Dilemmas in UK Public Washrooms' Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Chicago, Chicago, March
Bichard, J., Hanson, J. & Greed C. (2006) 'The Inclusive Design of Public Toilets', poster presentation, Healthy Communities: Convergence of Public Health and Sustainability Agendas University of the West of England, April
Hanson, J., Bichard, J. & Greed C. (2005) 'Personas, Narratives and Empowerment: Redefining 'reasonable provision' in respect of the inclusive design of 'away from home' toilets in city centres', poster presentation Include 2005 RCA, London
Book Reviews
Bichard, J. (2012) Shelia Cavanagh Queering Bathrooms: Gender, Sexuality and the Hygienic Imagination in Social & Cultural Geography Vol.13
Greed, C. & Bichard, J (2013) 'Ladies or Gents': Gender division in toilets a Review of Shelia Cavanagh Queering Bathrooms: Gender, Sexuality and the Hygienic Imagination in Gender, Place & Culture: A Journal of Feminist Geography Volume 19, Issue 4, 2012
Media
Potty Mouth (2017) Bavard Bar Printers playhouse, Eastbourne, East Sussex 2 November 2017
Toilet Talk (2011) Marie Lenclos, commissioned by the Women's Design Service
‘Desperate Need For Public Loos’ letter The Independent 12 February 2011
‘Caught short; London’s public toilet shortage’ BBC World Service 20 March 2009
External collaborations
Projects
- Indian Design Council (India UK Design Education workshop series)
- Public Health Northern Ireland (Our Future Foyle)
- Newcastle University, University of West of England, Bournemouth University (Family Rituals 2.0)
- Nominet Trust (Mapping UK Conveniences)
- University of Cambridge and Jaguar Landrover (Inclusive Human Machine interaction)
- Brunel University, University of Manchester, University of the West of England, Sheffield University, Dalarna University Sweden, the BioMed Centre HTC, Bristol Urological Institute and the North Bristol NHS (Tackling Ageing Continence through Theory Tools and Technology (TACT3)
Visiting Lecturer
- Goldsmiths College Department of Anthropology, Visiting Lecturer Introduction to Social Anthropology (2010-2018)
- Open University The Design Group seminar “Inclusive Design’ (2015)
- London College of Communication, University of the Arts, Department of Design Visiting Lecturer ‘Professional studies’ (2013)
- Service Design Summer Course Guest Speaker Central St Martins University of the Arts, (2012)
- UCL, Department of English & Humanities Invited Speaker 'The Physically Disabled Body in the World: Public Space and the Built Environment' (2011)
- Central St Martins School of Art and Design, University of the Arts Department of Design Visiting lecturer 'Ethical Futures’ (2009, 2010)
- Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, UCL Visiting Lecturer MSc Environmental Design (2007-2008)
Keynote and Invited Presentations
Bichard, J. & Ramster G. (2016) ‘Ladies & Gents’ Toilet Break, London Design Festival 24 September 2016
Kirk, D , Bichard, J., Chatting, D & Yurman, P. (2016) ‘Anticipation Machine’ Our Machines 2, Brighton Digital festival, University of Brighton. 3-18 September 2015
Bichard, J. (2015) ‘Extending Architectural Affordance or How to Spend a Penny’. Around the Toilet. Manchester Metropolitan University. 29 June 2015
Bichard, J., Yurman, P., Kirk, D. & Chatting, D. (2015) `3 of the Ritual Machines from the Family Rituals 2.0 Project'. HOME|SICK Exhibition, Science Gallery, Dublin, 1 May-19 July 2015
Bichard, J. & Ramster, G. (2015) Designing Sustainability into Cities; The Great British Public Toilet Map. London Environmental Challenge. Future Cities Catapult. London 16 April 2015
Bichard, J. (2014) (a)Dressing the Ageing Demographic; Comfort in Living. Innonet Consortium Partner Meet, Borkop, Denmark, June
Bichard, J. (2014) Interdisciplinary Design; the HHCD Work & City Lab. IMAGINE Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, March
Bichard, J. (2013) Affording excretion: extending the design brief for the accessible toilet; Universalising Design ‘Design for all’ and responding to the manifold nature of embodiment, ESRC Seminar, Westminster, December
Bichard, J. & Knight G. (2011) The Trouble with Toilets at Toilet Talk: Women's Needs Seminar, Women's Design Service, The Building Centre, London, July
Bichard, J. (2011) 'The Role of Older People in Designing' at KT Equal: Empowering Older People to be active researchers, thought-leaders and influencers. Reading Town Hall, January
Bichard, J. (2010) ‘Toilet Provision for an Ageing Population’ at KT Equal: Continence Matters, Brunel University, December
Bichard, J. (2010) 'The Inclusive Workplace' Business Breakfast DoGA, Norwegian Design Council, Oslo, Norway. November
Bichard, J. (2010) Plantonics Satellite Session 'Smarter working for the ageing workforce' in Quality of Life: Social, Economic & Ergonomic Challenges for Ageing People at Work, European Ergonomics Conference, Brugges, Belgium. October
Bichard, J. (2010) 'Mobility and Public Amenities' at Age Supportive Built Environments, UK/Canada study tour London Metropolitan University, March
Bichard, J. (2010) 'Access to Public Space' at Designing for our future selves - exploring the links between ageing societies & sustainable design UK/Japan seminar in collaboration with the Oxford Institute of Ageing, St Katherine's College, Kobe, Japan. January
Professional Activities
PhD External Examiner
- Duncan of Jordonstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee;
- School of Built Environment University of Salford
- School of Architecture and Design, University of Brighton
External Critical Panel: Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge (2010)
Peer Review for; The Design Journal, The Journal of Engineering Design; International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment; Home Cultures; Disability and Rehabilitation; Transportation Research Part C
Editor: The Design Journal Special Edition on Inclusive Design (2013)
Member: Design Research Society (current)
Event Organisation and Participation
(a)Dressing the Ageing Demographic Organiser September / October 2013
Across RCA Student programme Organiser October/ November 2013
SKIP Post-Graduate programme Contributor October/November 2012
RSA Student Design Awards ‘The Good Journey’ Judge (2012)
Department for Communities and Local Government invited contributor to roundtable discussion on inclusive design research and policy (2012)
RSA Student Design Awards in collaboration with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon) Action for Age Judge (2011)
Include 2011 Conference Director International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen’ Royal College of Art
Include 2009 Conference Director International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘Inclusive design into innovation: transforming practice in design, research and business’ Royal College of Art
Include 2007 Conference Co-ordinator International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘Designing with people’ Royal College of Art.
Mentoring, Judging and Event Organiser
(a)Dressing the Ageing Demographic Organiser September / October 2013
Across RCA Student programme Organiser October/ November 2013
SKIP Post-Graduate programme Contributor October/November 2012
RSA Student Design Awards ‘The Good Journey’ Judge (2012)
Department for Communities and Local Government invited contributor to roundtable discussion on inclusive design research and policy (2012)
RSA Student Design Awards in collaboration with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Lisbon) Action for Age Judge (2011)
Include 2011 Conference Director International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen’ Royal College of Art
Include 2009 Conference Director International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘Inclusive design into innovation: transforming practice in design, research and business’ Royal College of Art
Include 2007 Conference Co-ordinator International Conference on Inclusive Design ‘Designing with people’ Royal College of Art.
Post Doctoral Student Supervision
Dr Jonathan Ventura
Dr Paulina Rojek-Adamek