Introduce yourself: Who you are and what you studied at Imperial?
I'm Kerri Cooper, I'm a doctor working in plastic surgery from Northern Ireland and I studied for a Masters in Healthcare and Design at Imperial.
What drew you to Imperial’s Healthcare and Design course?
Before studying medicine, I had always enjoyed art and creative subjects and I was looking for a way to reconnect with that interest. I was also considering a move away from clinical work and felt the course would help me develop skills and a network that could open up new professional opportunities.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
What I appreciated most about the course was the opportunity to work closely with my classmates who came from different professional backgrounds. In my cohort there was a fashion designer, an architect, engineers, and a physicist as well as lots of different healthcare professionals at different stages in their careers. It was a really rich environment for exploring ideas and developing concepts and I continue to reach out to my classmates for their expertise in my own projects.
We were taught at both Imperial and the Royal College of Art and I found being exposed to both of these institutions very inspirational. Both nurture innovative cultures and I found it exciting to have access to world-class healthcare researchers and leading designers. The time I spent studying for the Masters was truly stimulating and exposed me to ideas, work and people I would otherwise never have encountered.
What was your research project for the course?
Beginning the course, I had thought I would develop a digital product but after taking part in the different design exercises we did, I found I was much more drawn to designing physical objects and spaces. I ended up building my final research project out of a design dash we did for one module exploring how to make medication administration in hospital a safer process. I redesigned the space where nurses prepare medications, taking inspiration from an open kitchen restaurant design, to make the process safer, more efficient and patient friendly. I had access to St Mary's Hospital, London where I was able to conduct design research over the course of a year with nurses, patients, other designers and healthcare workers. The project allowed me to develop both design research and 3D modelling skills. I had the support of an excellent supervisor from Imperial, Professor Mary Wells, and benefited greatly from her input.
What are you doing now?
I am a practising clinician, working in plastic surgery and continue to develop design projects around my clinical work. Following the course, I applied the design approach I had practised throughout the course to my own clinical area and developed a concept for a more sustainable type of dressing for wounds. I was very honoured to be awarded the RSA student design award for this project and I am continuing to develop it with the support of the NHS clinical entrepreneur scheme.
How have the skills gained on the course helped you in your career?
The course had a very hands-on approach to teaching design for healthcare and, particularly through my final research project, I was able to finetune my own approach which I have continued to apply in my projects. There was also a strong focus on entrepreneurship and this has given me the confidence to work towards developing my own product, which is definitely something I would not have thought possible before.
Have you noticed any recognition from studying at Imperial – networking, meeting others?
Winning the RSA student design prize was only possible after studying for this Masters at Imperial. This has opened up some amazing networking opportunities for me and I find that Imperial's reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship is very respected when I describe my background.
Do you have any advice for prospective students who are thinking of applying to study Healthcare and Design at Imperial?
I think the Masters in Healthcare and Design is a great choice for both healthcare workers and creatives interested in making an impact in healthcare. You are provided with a unique blend of hands-on healthcare design practice and networking opportunities with experts in both healthcare and design. I would recommend it to anyone hoping to explore their own creativity and be exposed to cutting edge research and design in a very inspiring environment.
Find out more about our Healthcare and Design course and apply.