Prosthetic Futures
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prosthetic Futures
IRAS ID
339232
Contact name
Simon Hall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance Team, Research & Enterprise Division
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Reconstructive facial prosthetics blend creative arts and science by crafting handmade body parts for patients. The modern world around us is often designed poorly for bodily differences and there can be a divide for people to interact and live well with everyday solutions. Emerging technologies in materials science, Bio Design, digital 3D and immersive tools for problem solving are transforming the landscape, whilst maintaining traditional craft-based skills. Together they offer a glimpse into what may be possible.
Prosthetic Futures is an interdisciplinary co-production arts project reflecting upon collaborative co-design in Art Laboratories. A diverse team of service users with personal experience of prosthetics, artists, health professionals and reconstructive scientists will co-produce novel creations as part of the art project to speculatively explore the embodiment and senses of future prostheses.
The project utilises a series of art workshops set-up in a public art gallery with resources bridging the interface of tactile physical making and digital technologies. Through fine art materials and tools, laboratory equipment used for sculpting prostheses and immersive digital technologies, the group will speculate on how reconstructive prosthetics may adapt to future environments.
Prosthetic Futures highlights co-design in reimagining the future of prosthetics and prioritises inclusivity and empathic design for richer solutions. The project aims to co-produce artwork exploring reconstructive prosthetics for public education, reflect collaboratively upon the co-design process and explore the embodiment and senses of futures prosthetics.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0198
Date of REC Opinion
11 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion