Dr P.J. White

BDes(Hons) PhD

Senior Lecturer, Research Director

Room 526, Burrin Building, Carlow Campus
e: pj.white@setu.ie | t: 059 9175356
ORCID ID:0000-0002-5716-8643   LinkedIn   ResearchGate  Website

Dr P.J. White is a Senior Lecturer and Research Director at designCORE. Externally he is an Adjunct Full Professor at McMaster University, and an Adjunct Member at McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, Canada.

Holding a PhD in Product Design, Dr White researches and lectures in Product and Service design with a specialism in ageing. Prior to his academic roles, he worked as a Product Designer, with industry experience ranging from the design of domestic products to product solutions for SMEs and multinational companies.

He currently works across an interdisciplinary portfolio of research involving leading national and international partners. Examples of 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 with Dr Ray Griffin SETU).

Dr White has published and produced a wide range of high-impact outputs including journal and conference papers, book chapters, national news articles, podcasts, and journal editorials. His national and international outreach work includes conference chairing, guest lectures, invited symposia presentations, consultation on Irish Government policy, and University representation in Carlow County Council’s Age Friendly Alliance.

 

  • Publications
  • Research Supervision
  • Engagement and Collaboration

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Research (online list can be found here)

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 [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. 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

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.

Kajaks, T., Harvey, K., Patocs, A., Dunford, E., Garnett, A., Hatzifilalithis, S., Kalu, M., Sangrar, R., Weldrick, R., White, P.J. Costa, A. Understanding the interdisciplinary experiences of trainees in the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, MacPherson Institute Research on Teaching and Learning Conference, Hamilton, ON, Canada, Dec 5-6th, 2019.

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/2UU6cgx doi: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. DEMPSEY, H. 2015. 'Lifelogging in design research for older adults.' 'Faultlines' Design Research Conference, Carlow Ireland

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 and Invited 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.

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

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

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

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 Supervision

Current Research Students                  
  • Jack Sweeney- PhD 2022- SETU
  • Trish Finegan- PhD 2021- SETU
Research Assistant
  • Emma Holden 2023 -2024 (PEStech SFI Funded Project)
Past Research Students
  • Fintan Kennedy- MA-  SETU 
  • Veronica Kingston- MA- SETU 
  • Trish Finegan- MA- SETU 
  • Linda Shore- MA- SETU 
  • Alan Grincell- MA-  SETU 
  • Lee Gaynor- MA- SETU 
  • Sandra Reid- MA-  SETU 
  • Adam Maguire- MA- SETU
 

Engagement and Collaboration

Outreach and Other Roles

  • External examiner and Programme Validator up to Doctoral level, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, Limerick School of Art and Design, TUS, ATU
  • Expert reviewer and Committee Member at National Standards Association of Ireland: ISO/DIS 23623 Dementia Inclusive Communities 
  • SETU Representative of Carlow Age Friendly Alliance (Carlow County Council)
  • Consultant for Irish Government policy initiatives in the area of Design: “Winning by Design” report (2017) and  “The Design Island” (2017) consultation papers towards a National Design Strategy. Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation.  
  • Reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals within Design and ageing. 
  • Institute of Designers Ireland Irish Design Awards Judge 2023 
  • Co-Chair and founder of Fault-lines Design Research Conference 
  • Lead Editor/ Reviewer Iterations Design Practice Review.  
  • PhD Panel Chair and Reviewer Design Research Conference DRS 2018.  
  • Member of the Scientific and Programme Committee for UDHEIT Congress. 
  • Erasmus Visiting Professor Windesheim University, Netherlands
  • Member of the Irish Gerontological Society 
  • Member of the Institute of Designers Ireland
  • Member of the ACADEMY steering group Limerick School of Art / Design Research 
  • Awards and Scholarships
  • Ireland Canada University Foundation James M. Flaherty Research Scholarship 2018 McMaster University
  • John & Pat Hume Doctoral Scholarship Award Recipient (Maynooth University) 2008-2012. 
  • Gerontological Society of America David A. Peterson Award 2020. This award honours excellence in scholarship in academic gerontology. 
  • Institute of Designers Ireland Irish Design Awards 2015, Winner Design Education; Winner Design Collaborations. 
  • Institute of Designers Ireland Graduate Product/Industrial Designer of the Year
  • Institute of Technology, Carlow Graduate awards for academic excellence in Honours Degree in Design- Industrial Design and National Diploma in Design- Industrial Design 

Membership, Reviewing Activities and Other Roles

  • Lead Editor/ Reviewer Iterations Design Practice Review.  
  • PhD Panel Chair and Reviewer Design Research Conference DRS 2018.  
  • Member of the Scientific and Programme Committee for UDHEIT Congress. 
  • Reviewer for several international peer-review journals within Design and ageing.  
  • Interview panel member: National Crafts Council, LSAD and Maynooth University.
  • External examiner and Programme Validator up to Doctoral level, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, Limerick School of Art and Design, Limerick Institute of Technology, Galway Mayo IT. 
  • Co-Chair and founder of Fault-lines Design Research Conference 
  • Consultant for Irish Government policy initiatives in the area of Design: “Winning by Design” report (2017) and  “The Design Island” (2017) consultation papers towards a National Design Strategy. Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation.  
  • Member of the Scientific and Programme Committee for UDHEIT Congress 
  • Committee and Member Expert for National Standards Association of Ireland 
  • IT Carlow Age-Friendly Campus Working Group (2021) 
  • IT Carlow Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team Member (2017-19)

Professional Membership  

  • 09/19- Current Member of Irish Gerontological Society 
  • 05/02- Current Member and former Chair Design Education:  Institute of Designers Ireland  
  • 03/13- Current Member of the ACADEMY steering group Limerick School of Art / Design research 
  • 05/21- Current Member of the International Participatory Approaches in Ageing Research Network