Dr P.J. White

Throughout his career he has taught across all educational levels from 1st-year undergraduate to PhD. He has designed and developed several undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes and created multiple new programmes of research together with creating workshops, and providing training for academic staff. 

His teaching and training portfolio includes: Design Research Methods, Human Centred Design, Design Sketching, Conceptualisation, Modelmaking, Computer Aided Design, Design Ethnography, Universal Design, User Experience Design, Design thinking, Interdisciplinary and Co-Design methods, Industrial Design, Design History.

Research Interests

Dr White researches in Product, Service and Social design with a specialism in ageing. Currently he works across an interdisciplinary portfolio of research involving leading national and international partners. 

Examples of research projects include health services co-design (HSE), public transport service design (Irish Rail), dementia standards development (NSAI) design for dementia (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases) ageing and the digital divide (McMaster University) digital divide in developing countries (Makerere University, Uganda) co-designing Interdisciplinary research (McMaster University and SETU) labour market digital tools (SFI funded).

Research Contribution and Outputs

Since commencing his academic career he has helped create a national design research eco-system, through which the generation of knowledge has been achieved through multiple fora. This has involved establishing major national academic research platforms, creating, and developing new programmes, and developing and working with an international consortium of research partners. 

Dr Whites knowledge generation record includes (but is not limited to): peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, book chapters, national news articles, podcasts, and journal editorials (full list of publications below)

Selection of Awards and Scholarships in and for Knowledge Generation

• (2019) Gerontological Society of America David A. Peterson Award 2020. This award honours excellence in scholarship in academic gerontology 
• (2018) Ireland Canada University Foundation James M. Flaherty Research Scholarship 
• (2015) Institute of Designers Ireland Irish Design Awards 2015, Winner Design Education. ‘FAULTLINES Inaugural Irish Design Research Conference 2015. Winner Design Collaboration ITERATIONS Design Journal (With other Irish Universities)(2008-2012) 
• John & Pat Hume PhD Scholarship Award Recipient Awarded to successful doctoral applicants with demonstrated excellence in research

Dr Whites work in supporting industry and societal knowledge exchange ranges from Irish government policy contribution, public/ health service improvement, training & education, Standards development, national and international and guest lectures/ presentations, and University representation in county council Age Friendly Alliance. Detailed below are some of these.

Current Outreach and knowledge exchange positions include:

2024- European COST Action Member CA22167- Participatory Approaches with Older Adults (PAAR-net) https://paar-net.eu/ Working Group 3: Technology and Innovation

2023-  SETU Representative of Carlow Age Friendly Alliance (Carlow County Council)

2020-  Expert reviewer and Committee Member at National Standards Association of Ireland: ISO/DIS 23623 Dementia Inclusive Communities 

Community and Public Service based Co-Design

His research is centred on co-design to understand community and stakeholder needs. Examples of community and public service projects include health services co-design (HSE and National Health & Social Care Professions Office), dementia standards development (NSAI) Co-Research with People with Dementia for Planning Urban Environments (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases) Co-design for digital divide & community engagement in rural Uganda (Makerere University Uganda. Research community building Universidade Rovuma, Mozambique 

Government Policy Consultation and National Expertise 

Dr White has worked on government policy as it relates to design education in Ireland, this includes: “Winning by Design” report (2017) and “The Design Island” (2017) consultation papers towards a National Design Strategy.

Industry

Prior to his academic roles, his industry experience involved a wide portfolio of design projects involving SMEs to multinational companies. Key achievements include the design and development of over 15 successful products including, 8 new products marketed worldwide for Aga food services and test equipment for the world’s largest computer hardware producers.

He continues regular knowledge exchange with industry, recent research include: Irish Rail: Public transport service design, understanding door to door journeys of customers, with Masters Design research Fintan Kennedy. He regularly engages in live industry projects in undergraduate programmes and has presented public guest lectures for the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.

Current Research Students                  

• Trish Finegan- PhD (SETU)
• Sarah Murphy- PhD (ATU)
• Jack Sweeney- PhD (SETU) 
• Faizan Malik-PhD (SETU)

Research Assistants

• Emma Holden  (SETU) SFI Challange Fund Project: PEStech

Past Research Students

• Fintan Kennedy - MA (SETU)
• Veronica Kingston - MA (SETU)
• Trish Finegan - MA (SETU)
• Sandra Reid - MA (SETU)
• Linda Shore - MA (SETU)
• Alan Grincell - MA (SETU)
• Lee Gaynor - MA (SETU)
• Adam Maguire - MA (SETU)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles 

2024

Kennedy, F., White, P. J. and Dempsey, H. (2024) 'Improving the Door-To-Door Customer Journey for a National Public Transport Company', Sustainability, 16(20). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208741

Sweeney J, O’Donnell S, Roche E, White P.J., Carroll P, Richardson N. Mental Health Stigma Reduction Interventions Among Men: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2024;18(6).doi: 10.1177/15579883241299353

White, P.J., Briede-Westermeyer, Juan Carlos., Dempsey, Hilary., López, Gabriela. (2024) Universal Design in Design Education: Developing a Framework of Cross-Continental Perspectives. All Ireland Journal of Higher Education, 16(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.62707/aishej.v16i2.797

2023

White, P.J., Casey, B.P., Cleary, O., Finn, E., O’Connor, K. and Coen, N., 2023. Co-design with Integrated Care Teams: Establishing Information Needs.  International Journal of Integrated Care, 23(4), p.7.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7618

White, P.J., Okello, D., Casey. B.P., Najjuuko, C., Lukanga, R. (2023). Co-designing with Engineers for Community Engagement in Rural Uganda. Design Science. Cambridge University Press, 9, p. e12. http://doi.org/10.1017/dsj.2023.10

2022

White, P.J., 2022. Designing Products for Older People’s Social and Emotional Needs: A Case Study. Anthropology and Aging, 43 (2) p. 24-39, ISSN 2374-2267 https://doi.org/10.5195/aa.2022.364 http://anthro-age.pitt.ed

Zallio, M., Grey, T, Boland, P., Kelly, H., White, P.J., O’Ferrall, E, (2022) Online-based participatory design: A Case Study of Developing International Standards During a Pandemic. Strategic Design Research Journal 15 (1) doi: https://doi.org/10.4013/sdrj.2021.151.05

White, P. J. and Kennedy, C. (2022) ‘Designing a module in entrepreneurship for product design students’, Industry and Higher Education, 36(2), pp. 217–226. doi: 10.1177/09504222211013742.

2021 

White, P.J., Alders, G., Patocs, A. and Raina, P. (2021) “COVID-19 and interdisciplinary research: What are the needs of researchers on aging?”, Tuning Journal for Higher Education, 9(1), pp. 239-263. https://doi.org/10.18543/tjhe-9(1)-2021pp239-263

White, P.J., & Devitt. F (2021). Creating Personas from Design Ethnography and Grounded Theory. Journal of Usability Studies,(JUS) Vol 16 (3) https://uxpajournal.org/personas-ethnography-grounded-theory/

2020

Marston, H. R., Shore, L. and White, P. J. (2020) 'How does a (Smart) Age-Friendly Ecosystem Look in a Post-Pandemic Society?', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218276

White, P.J., Deevy, C. Designing an Interdisciplinary Research Culture in Higher Education: A Case Study. Interchange (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-020-09406-0

White PJ, Marston HR, Shore L and Turner R. Learning from COVID-19: Design, Age-friendly Technology, Hacking and Mental Models. Emerald Open Res 2020, 2:21 (https://doi.org/10.35241/emeraldopenres.13599.1)

2019

Vrkljan, B., Whalen, A., Kajaks, T., Nadarajah, S., White, P. J., Harrington, L., & Raina, P. (2019). Creating an intergenerational university hub: Engaging older and younger users in the shaping of space and place. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 40(2), 244-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2019.1572010

2018

Shore, L., Kiernan, L., DeEyto, A., Nic A Bhaird, D., Connolly, A., White, P., Fahey, T., & Moane, S. (2018). Older adult insights for age friendly environments, products and service Systems.. Design And Technology Education: An International Journal, 23(2), 40-58. 

2017

Grincell, A., H. Dempsey, White, P.J. (2017). Older adults and self-service banking: a user centred study into the behaviour of older adults interacting with automated teller machines, collected and synthesised using visual research methods. Iterations Journal 1:5 pp. 52-61 http://hdl.handle.net/10344/6740

2011

White, P. J., & Devitt, F. (2011). The Design and Development of Novel Cooking and Heating Products for Irish Older Adults- a Real Health Need. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, 5(3), 13. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1874/CGP/v05i03/38081

Conference Papers 

2024

Faizan, M., White, P. J. and Dey, I. 'Automated Music Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Management in Older People (AMITY)'. EU-CONEXUS EENVIRO Research Conference, 2024/10/03 https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2410.02552

Long, S; White, P.J.; Grincell, A; Holden, E; Nido, S; Bahule, C. Using Co-Design to initiate partnerships with universities in the global south. Achieving just food systems in the era of global ‘polycrises’ Conference, Development Studies Association of Ireland, Cork.  October 30th and 31st 2024. https://www.dsaireland.org/

Holden, E., White, P. J., Casey, B., Tuite, A., Jordan, A. and Griffin, R. 'Public Labour Market Infrastructure: New digital horizons for public employment services', 5TH Street- Level Bureaucracy Conference, Copenhagen, 18th-20th June. https://easychair.org/smart-program/SLB2024/2024-06-18.html

2023

White, P.J., Deevy, C., Casey, B., Patocs, A.,and Raina, P.(2023) Co-design for interdisciplinary research communities, IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 9-13 October, Milan, Italy. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.226

2022

Finegan, T., White, P. J., Casey B.P. (2022) ‘Living Well at Home’- Integrated Care for Older People in Ireland ICIC22 International Journal of Integrated Care 22(S3):235. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.ICIC22116

2021

White, P. J., Patocs, A., & Raina, P. Harrington, L.,(2021) Interdisciplinary Gerontological Research by Design, British Society of Gerontology 50th Annual Conference, Lancaster University

2019

White, P. J., Harrington, L., Patocs, A., & Raina, P. (2019). Using Design to Create Interdisciplinary Research in Ageing. Presented at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2019 (IAGGER   2019), Gothenburg, Sweden.

2018

PATOCS, A. HARRINGTON, L. WHITE, P.J. DEEVY, C. ABELSON, J, RAINA, P. FLEISIG, R. 2018 Designing a user-centred approach to interdisciplinary research on aging: A case study" 47th Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the CAG. Vancouver, British Columbia, October 20, 2018

Gaynor, L., Dempsey, H., & White, P. J. (2018). How Design Thinking Offers Strategic Value to Micro-Enterprises. Paper presented at the Design Research Conference- Design as a Catalyst for Change, Limerick Ireland. https://bit.ly/2UU6cgxdoi:10.21606/drs.2018.434

A MCGUIRE, DO BROIN, PJ WHITE, C DEEVY, 2018 The Effect of Game Elements in a Career Awareness System, European Conference on Games Based Learning, 836-XXII

WHITE, P.J., DEEVY, C. HARRINGTON, L. PATOCS, A. 2018. Designing Interdisciplinary Research for Ageing. Engaging in Ageing 2018: New Frontiers of Ageing: Research Policy and Practice. Croke Park, March 2018.

REID, S. MAHER, C, WHITE, P.J. DEEVY, C. 2018 Assisting teachers to implement a design approach to problem solving; using online, ED TECH 2018: TEL Quality Matters - People, Policies and Practices At: Institute of Technology Carlow, Ireland

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329167166_Assisting_teachers_to_implement_a_design_approach_to_problem_solving_using_online_tools#fullTextFileContent

2017

A MCGUIRE, DO BROIN, PJ WHITE, C DEEVY, K POWER. 2017. Increasing Student Motivation and Awareness of Career Opportunities Through Gamification European Conference on Games Based Learning, 898-906

2016

WHITE, P.J. 2016. Irish Designers as Future Change Agents, Mise Éire Conference Shaping a Nation through Design, Collins Barracks Dublin Nov 2016.

WHITE, P.J. 2016. Designing a Domestic Heating Product for Older people 
Within the Concept of ‘Contained Living Spaces’ Social Innovation for Change Conference Barcelona University Oct 2016.

2015

DEMPSEY, H. WHITE, P.J.2015. A Culture of Universal Empathy at IT Carlow, Proceedings from Universal Design in Education Conference, Centre of Excellence in Universal Design, Dublin Castle, Dublin.

SHORE, L. WHITE, P.J. DEPMPSEY, H. 2015. 'Shared Usability' a support mechanism to product and service system design for older adults. HFES Annual conference, Groningen, The Netherlands 

WHITE, P.J. 2015 Design Requirements in Domestic Cooking and Heating Products for Older People The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress 2015, Dublin, Ireland 

WHITE, P.J. 2014. Developing the Concept of Shared Usability, Cultural Gerontology Conference NUI Galway, and European Network in Aging studies.

2013

WHITE, P.J. 2013. Ethnography in Designing for Older People. European Conference on Design4 Health. Sheffield Hallam University. Post print Link: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/34614893.pdf#page=62

2011

WHITE, P.J. DEVITT, F.2011. Designing Domestic Cooking and Heating Products for the Positive Health and Wellbeing of Irish Older Adults. European Conference on Design 4 Health. Sheffield Hallam University.

WHITE, P.J. 2011. The Design and Development of Novel Cooking and Heating Products for Irish Older Adults- a Real Health Need.Design Principles and Practices Conference Rome, Italy (Resulted in peer reviewed journal publication)

2009

WHITE, P.J. Empathy over Ego: Designing cooking and heating appliances for older adults.  Ethnography, Creativity and Design, 2009 Maynooth, Co Kildare. Intel and the National University of Ireland Maynooth

Book Chapter

WHITE, P.J. 2018 Designing a Domestic Heating Product for Older People Within the Concept of 'Contained Living Spaces.  Elena Urdaneta, and Brian Worsfold. Eds. Ideas, Products, Services... 'Social Innovation' for Elderly Persons. Lleida: Edicions i Publicacions de la Universitat de Lleida, 2018. 159-169. [ISBN 978-84-9144-106-9]   

Symposia, Invited Lectures & Public Talks

2023

WHITE, P.J. 2023. Co-Design Product and Service Design for Communities. Seminar: Participatory Research Co-Design and Community Engagement, Network for Education and Multidisciplinary Research Africa (NEMRA) Online, July 2023.

WHITE, P.J. 2023. Design Lecture: (Co) Design (thinking) for McMaster University 22nd November, 2023 Software Engineering Year 3

2022

WHITE, P.J. 2022. Design Lecture: Future of Design expert session for Avantika University India 29th April, 2022 

2016

WHITE, P.J. 2016. Evolving Design from Kilkenny Design Workshops to the Future, Design and Crafts Council of Ireland, Kilkenny, May 2016.

WHITE, P.J. 2016. Design-Domesticity-Death, Design, Disease and Design Symposium, Limerick School of Art and Design, April 2016.

Conference Posters and Artefacts

2023

Patocs, A., Alders, G., White, P.J., Dubé, A., Wauben, I. and Raina, P. 'Measuring impact within an interdisciplinary aging research landscape'. CAG2023: Community Engaged Teaching, Research & Practice, Toronto, Canada. https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/#/event/4030/submission/613

2022

Patocs, A., Alders, G., White, P.J., Dubé, A., Raina, P. Aging research and design thinking: How interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement can drive trainees’ research impact. CAG2022, 51st Annual Scientific and Educational Conference, October 20-22, 2022, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/4476

2021

Finegan, T; White, P.J.; Casey B, (2021)Healthcare Provision For Older People In Kilkenny Through The Implementation Of The Integrated Care Programme For Older People, Annual and Scientific Meeting of the Irish Gerontological Society, Age and Ageing Vol 50 Supplement 3

2019

White, P. J., Harrington, L., Patocs, A., & Raina, P. (2019). Using Design to Create Interdisciplinary Research in Ageing. Paper presented at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics European Region Congress  2019  ( IAGGER   2019 ), Gothenburg, Sweden.

2015

WHITE, P.J. 2015. Design Requirements in Domestic Cooking and Heating Products for Older People, IAGG-ER Congress, Dublin, 23-26 April 2015. 

GRINCELL, A. DEMPSEY, H. WHITE, P.J. 2015. An Investigation into ATM’s. A user centered study (of older adults) for the development of increased security & usability based on user behaviour. HFES Annual conference, Groningen, The Netherlands 

2014

SHORE, L. WHITE, P.J., DEMPSEY, H. 2014. Research development to define 'Shared Usability' in product design for older adults. HFES Annual conference, Lisbon, Portugal http://www.hfes-europe.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ShorePoster2014.pdf

2013

 WHITE, P.J. 2013. Concept Development Board of a Domestic Heating Product for Older Adults. EPIC (Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference Conference) London https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1559-8918.2013.00038.x

2011

WHITE, P.J. DEVITT, F. Investigating Cooking and Heating Product Needs for Irish Older Adults.  The 9th International European Academy of Design Conference, 2011 Porto, Portugal. EAD, 114.

News Articles

2022

RTE Brainstorm commissioned article: How to design a future Ireland for an ageing population published 15/11/22

https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/1114/1336022-how-to-design-a-future-ireland-for-an-ageing-population/ 

Podcasts

2023

SETU 9+Podcast with Rob O Conner Design Research with P.J. White and Brian Casey

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gO5yQQPddaQYBvtvBunfO?go=1&sp_cid=c14897cd0e536ad3ac22d1db4ebd4bb3&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1

Workshops

2024

White, P.J., Long, S. 2024, How can we improve student progression in Agri business entrepreneurship in Niassa Mozambique? SETU Carlow. 23/02/24

2023

White, P.J. 2023, (Co) Design (Thinking) McMaster University, Canada. 01/06/23

White, P.J., 2023, Casey, B. Developing an Interdisciplinary research at SETU. SETU Waterford, 28/02/24

2021

White, P.J., Casey, B. 2021, Co-Design Workshop with Netlabs Uganda Makerere University Uganda. Online 30/03/21

White, P.J., 2021, COVID-19 and interdisciplinary research: What are the needs of researchers on aging. Online

2020

White, P.J., Casey, B. 2020, HSE Codesign with integrated care teams: Workshop1 Current State Needs Kilkenny, 25/06/20 

White, P.J., Casey, B. 2020, HSE Codesign with integrated care teams: Workshop 2 Future State Needs, Kilkenny 13/10/20 

2017

White, P.J., Deevy, C. 2021, Developing a Culture of Interdisciplinary Research on Aging at  MIRA McMaster 18/11/17

PhD Thesis

White, P. J. (2012). Designer as ethnographer: A study of domestic cooking and heating product design for Irish older adults [PhD dissertation, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth]. http://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/4740/1/PhD%20Thesis_PJ%20White.pdf

Research Memorandum of Understanding and Agreements

2023

designCORE South East Technological University (SETU) and McMaster University on behalf of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) MOU signed for 2023-2028

2022

designCORE South East Technological University (SETU) and Avantika University Pune India (MIRA) MOU signed for 2023-2028

designCORE South East Technological University (SETU) and German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e.V. (DZNE) Witten, Germany. Project Partner Agreement

2018

designCORE Institute of Technology Carlow and McMaster University on behalf of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) MOU signed for 2018-2023