Rebecca Oates

(she/her)

Overview

I initially studied Furniture Design & Construction and have 25+ years professional experience in product and commercial interior design. I studied Psychology at Birkbeck University, London, before moving to Cardiff to complete my MSc and am now a PhD student working in the School of Psychology, CUBRIC. My research combines psychology with design and seeks to better understand sensory sensitivities, specifically in relation to the built environment.

Sensory hypersensitivity can be described as sensitivity to stimuli across one or more sensory modalities which can cause discomfort or overwhelm, or be soothing and enjoyable, depending on the individual. It is associated with areas of neurodiversity and a number of health and neurological conditions, but is also reported by many without a clinical diagnosis. People who have sensory hypersensitivities can find every day tasks such as shopping or visiting health and education settings challenging, and their coping mechanisms are often effortful. 

My PhD explores the mechanisms, triggers, soothers and consequences of sensory sensitivity. Starting with mechanisms, I am interested in how sensory sensitivity may fluctuate with female sex hormones across with the menstural cycle. Using fMRI, i'm exploring potential neural correlates of sensory sensitivity across the menstrual cycle. My project also explores the impact of sensory sensitivity in secure care settings (psychiatric units and prisons). Using mixed methods, the impact of sensory sensitivity in both service users and staff in these spaces will be explored, including reported behavioural responses. Specific architectural features which are most uncomfortable for people who are sensory sensitive, and which have soothing or even therapeutic properties, will be recorded and recommendations made for improvements in these under-researched spaces. 

I am passionate about improving the inclusion of disabled, neurodivergent, older and sensory sensitive people - people whose needs are often neglected in a trend-led design world. Working with academics and disability charities, my design work is research-led and I am a subject matter expert for inclusive design, sitting on the drafting panel for national Inclusive Design Guidelines.