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Abstract

We present a methodological, theoretical, and technological outline of codesign principles for the effective development of digital heritage extended reality systems for health and care. The paper is based on two large-scale research projects involving ageing in rural and coastal communities, focused on the codesign of extended reality systems to stimulate new forms of access to local heritage sites with potential impact on health outcomes. Our approach stems from a multi-disciplinary collaboration between health, digital design, and heritage specialists, and suggests ways to reconcile diverging forms of knowledge production, such as our ‘researcher in residence’ methodology and the place-based complexities of codesigning such systems. Based on an analysis of fieldwork data and our own fieldwork experiences, the paper presents a roadmap for the codesign of digital heritage extended reality systems for health interventions that meet the needs of stakeholders and organisational implementation requirements, providing a useful tool in supporting the health and social care system for our ageing population.

Publication Date

2024-06-12

Publication Title

CoDesign

Volume

20

Issue

2

ISSN

1571-0882

Acceptance Date

2024-04-25

Deposit Date

2024-09-23

Funding

The work was supported by the\u00A0Economic and Social Research Council [ES/V016113/1]; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [EP/W024357/1]. This research is funded by the University of Plymouth Arts-Health Fund (2021) project \u201CDigital asset archive of environmental models for use in navigational, VR and immersive arts and health research\u201D and the UK Research & Innovation projects GOALD (ESRC Healthy Ageing Challenge: Social, Behavioural and Design Research Programme, grant no. ES/V016113/1), and ICONIC (EPSRC Digital Equity, grant no. EP/W024357/1). Ethical approval for these projects was secured following the University of Plymouth Research Ethics Policy, and the Faculty of Health Research Ethics and Integrity Committee. Our Arts-Health Fund project was delivered with the support from staff at Powderham Castle and Dartmoor National Park Authority, we are thankful to the Courtenay family and Emma Stockley for their support on accessing the sites. The project was delivered with assistantship from Matt Holmes, Thijs Mostert (3D scanning) and Musaab Garghouti (VR development). On behalf of the GOALD project: University of Stirling: Catherine H. Hennessy, Alison Dawson, Gregory Mannion, Richard Haynes, Anna C. Whittaker, John Ritchie, Simone Tomaz, Karen Watchman. University of Plymouth: Sheena Asthana, Leonie Cooper, Katie Edwards, Tanja Krizaj, Alison Warren, Katherine Willis. Other co-investigators: Arunangsu Chatterjee (University of Leeds), Pete Coffee (Heriot-Watt University), Swen Gaudl (University of Gothenburg), Gemma Ryde (University of Glasgow). External partners: Active Stirling Ltd., Generations Working Together, Hearing Loss Cornwall, Nudge Community Builders, South Asian Society (Devon and Cornwall), Sporting Heritage, Sports Heritage Scotland, St. Breward Community, iSightCornwall, UKActive. On behalf of the ICONIC project: University of Plymouth: Amir Aly, Sheena Asthana, Dena Bazazian, Oksana Hagen, Kerry Howell, Emmanuel Ifeachor, Katherine Willis, Shang-Ming Zhou. External co-investigators: Arunangsu Chatterjee (University of Leeds), Swen Gaudl (University of Gothenburg), Chunxu Li (Hohai University). External partners: Centre of Pendeen, ClayTAWC, Cornwall Neighbourhoods 4 Change, Cornwall Rural Community Charity, Devon Communities Together, Geevor Tin Mine, Healthwatch Torbay, iSight Cornwall, Newquay Orchard, Nudge Community Builders, The Ocean Conservation Trust, Plymouth Community Homes, St Breward Community, and Torbay Community Development Trust. This research is funded by the University of Plymouth Arts-Health Fund (2021) project \u201CDigital asset archive of environmental models for use in navigational, VR and immersive arts and health research\u201D and the UK Research & Innovation projects GOALD (ESRC Healthy Ageing Challenge: Social, Behavioural and Design Research Programme, grant no. ES/V016113/1), and ICONIC (EPSRC Digital Equity, grant no. EP/W024357/1). Ethical approval for these projects was secured following the University of Plymouth Research Ethics Policy, and the Faculty of Health Research Ethics and Integrity Committee. Our Arts-Health Fund project was delivered with the support from staff at Powderham Castle and Dartmoor National Park Authority, we are thankful to the Courtenay family and Emma Stockley for their support on accessing the sites. The project was delivered with assistantship from Matt Holmes, Thijs Mostert (3D scanning) and Musaab Garghouti (VR development).

Keywords

codesign, digital heritage, Extended reality, health technology, place-based research, rurality

First Page

295

Last Page

312

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