Browsing by Author "Whitehead, Timothy"
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Item Open Access Bottle House: A case study of Transdisciplinary research for tackling global challenges(Elsevier, 2018-07-27) Whitehead, Timothy; Abuzeinab, Amal; Adefila, Arinola; Akinola, Yewande; Anafi, Fatai; Farukh, Farukh; Jegede, Oluyemi; Kandan, K.; Kim, Boksun; Mosugu, Emmanuel; Oyinlola, M. A.Globalisation has brought a number of challenges to the fore, particularly those problems which require collaboration, innovation and capability development between nations. There are some complex issues piquing the attention of researchers with respect to sustainable development, such as, waste management, climate change, and access to amenities, housing or education. Non-Governmental Organisations, Institutions, governments and others working in the field of international development have been grappling with these difficulties for decades. However, it is becoming apparent that many of these difficulties require multifaceted solutions, particularly in Low and Middle Income countries (LMIC) where it is difficult to consolidate gains and fund schemes. Development work can sometimes be disjointed and inefficient, impairing the capability of local communities and inhibiting sustainable and innovative approaches. Transdisciplinary collaboration is reliably a more efficient way of tackling some of the most pertinacious challenges. This paper presents findings from a transdisciplinary research project focussed on developing resources and capacity for the construction of affordable homes in a low income community in Nigeria. The project explored the suitability of using upcycled materials such as plastic bottles and agricultural waste in construction. Using a user-centred, co-creation methodology, a team of experts from the UK and Nigeria worked with local entrepreneurs to build a prototype home. The study explores the functionality of the home and the sustainability of project. The findings demonstrate the benefits of tackling global challenges from a transdisciplinary perspective. This has implications for researchers focused on developing technical solutions for low-income communities.Item Open Access Bottle House: Utilising Appreciative Inquiry to develop a user Acceptance model(Emerald, 2020-05-23) Adefila, Arinola; Abuzeinab, Amal; Whitehead, Timothy; Oyinlola, M. A.This paper develops a novel user-acceptance model for circular solutions to housing design. The model has been systematically developed from a case study of an upcycled plastic bottle building in a low-income community in Nigeria. It is common practice to use participatory approaches to consult end-users in communities, typically after design concepts have been proposed and conceptualised. However, this often leads to critical sociocultural or usability elements being overlooked and the design being substandard. Therefore, this paper develops a robust model for designers, specialists and activists involved in construction that can be used during all phases of a project. This approach demonstrates that user needs should be considered before building designs and plans are generated, providing a greater frame of reference for practitioners, consultants and end-users. Enabling the integration of holistic needs of the community and the development of circular design solution. A case study methodology has been employed to develop this model, uses appreciative Inquiry methodology. This includes multiple methods to capture end-users perception; focus groups, interactions with the local community, and self-recorded comments. This case study is part of a broader research project to develop replicable low-cost self-sufficient homes utilising local capacity using upcycled, locally available materials. The findings identify the challenges associated with designing circular-solution housing without a robust understanding of interrelated factors, which ensure sustainability and user acceptance. The conclusions demonstrate why essential sociocultural factors, usually unrelated to technical development, should be understood and contextualised when designing sustainable solutions in Low/Middle-Income Communities. We argue that without this holistic approach, undesirable consequences may arise, often leading to more significant challenges. Instead of referring to multiple frameworks, this distinctive model can be used to evaluate user acceptance for low-cost housing in particular and other dimensions of circular solution design that involve end-user acceptance. The model blends circular solution dimensions with user-acceptance concerns; offering a guide that considers essential features that are both user-friendly and pragmatic; such as utility, technological innovation and functionality as well as their intersectionality. The research relied on a single case study, which focused on end-user engagement of upcycling waste materials as an application of circular solutions. The model will contribute to developing socially accepted circular solutions taking into consideration local context factors.Item Open Access D-Tool(2016-04-20) Whitehead, Timothy; Evans, M.D-Tool has been created to help support decision making during the design of products. The tool employs a product assessment spider web with eight indicators that draw attention to key considerations for the evaluation of concepts and re-design of existing products. D-Tool is a card based toolkit which highlights factors required for appropriate product design. This will be used in parallel with Human Centred Design and Design Thinking methods.Item Open Access Design Tool for Enhanced New Product Development in Low Income Economies(Proceedings of DRS2016, 2016-06) Bingham, G. A.; Whitehead, Timothy; Evans, M. A.In order to alleviate poverty throughout the World government and non-government organisations provide aid in the form of essential household products. These products typically include cook stoves, water filters and LED lights. However, evidence suggests that these products are not always suitable for Low Income Economies (LIEs) which has resulted in a number of high profile product failures. In response to the growing need for appropriate New Product Development (NPD), this paper presents the development of a tool to assist industrial designers create appropriate and long lasting solutions for those in poverty. Data was collected from the analysis of existing products, a survey, interviews with NGOs & industrial designers and a field trip to Myanmar. The results were used to identify attributes required for effective, long-lasting product design. This was used to create a tool for designers which was found to enhance understanding of appropriate NPD for LIEs.Item Metadata only Designing Sustainable Housing Using a User-Centred Approach: Paipe Case Study(MDPI, 2023-09-30) Abbakyari, Maryam; Abuzeinab, Amal; Adefila, Arinola; Whitehead, Timothy; Oyinlola, M. A.This paper presents a user-centred design method for developing prototype housing designs in the Paipe community of Abuja, Nigeria, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). UCD is a qualitative methodology that prioritises end users in the design process. This study employs qualitative methods to collect data through interviews, field surveys, and site analysis using a single case study. The UCD approach was used to develop a profile of residents and identify their needs and preferences. Thematic analysis of the data led to the creation of design specifications and prototype designs. Two design options were developed: a cluster design based on field survey observations and an enclosed modern design based on residents’ preferences. This study contends that user-centred design (UCD) is essential for sustainable housing provision in LMICs, aligning with the United Nations’ adequate-housing programme.Item Open Access Digital innovations for transitioning to circular plastic value chains in Africa(Routledge, 2021-12) Oyinlola, M. A.; Schroeder, Patrick; Whitehead, Timothy; Kolade, Oluwaseun; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Sharifi, Soroosh; Rawn, Barry; Odumuyiwa, Victor; Lendelvo, Selma; Brighty, Geoff; Tijani, Bosun; Jaiyeola, Tomi; Lindunda, Lukonga; Mtonga, Radhia; abolfathi, soroushThe paper analyzes the current state of plastic value chains in Africa and the potential of digital innovations adopted by African entrepreneurs to contributing to a circular plastic economy. We provide an overview of plastic waste trade to African countries and an assessment of existing digital solutions that can support the transition to a circular plastic economy. The findings show that various digital innovations are being applied by entrepreneurs including web-based solutions, mobile apps and 3D printing. The case studies also show that multinational companies, especially consumer facing brands, are major players in the national plastic value chains in African countries, acting as seed funders for start-ups as well as buyers of recycled plastics. Current initiatives that are underway are positive signs that changes are in progress to address the environmental and social impacts of plastics value chains in Africa. However, to achieve a transition to sustainable circular value chains, changes at policy level will be required to enable scaling-up of local start-up businesses, address regulatory barriers to digital solutions, create markets for recycled plastic materials and implement extended producer responsibility regulationsItem Open Access Local or Global? Approaches for New Product Development in Low Income Countries(Taylor & Francis, 2019-07-12) Whitehead, Timothy; Evans, Mark; Bingham, GuyTo increase opportunity and quality of life for people living in poverty, governments and non-government organizations (NGOs) sell products to low-income countries. These are typically products that can make fundamental changes to the quality of life such as water filters and solar lighting. However, there has been limited research to support the new product development (NPD) process for this unique category of products which has led to instances of sub-optimal solutions. This paper explores the nature of design and manufacture in these countries, and the impact of local and global approaches has on product development. Empirical data has been generated through interviews with ten senior staff from NGOs; ten product users, and observations of the NPD process in Myanmar. The findings identify that the development of products undertaken in developed countries could provide can provide high-quality solutions, but at the expense of user insight and local capacity building.Item Open Access Modelling Heat Transfer in an Extruder for Recycling Plastics into Filaments for use in Additive Manufacturing(2022-08-10) Nasr Azadani, Meysam; Akinlabi, Esther; Whitehead, Timothy; Oyinlola, M. A.Global production of plastic increased by 500% over the last 30 years and it is expected to continue to grow to 850 million tons/year by 2050. Plastic use results in a substantial environmental burden due to both land and water pollution as plastics take 10 to 450 years to decompose in landfills. This has resulted in increased calls for innovative ways to recycle plastics, one of which is a decentralised solution where wasted plastics are recycled into filaments for 3D printing. This has been identified as a promising solution, especially for low-income communities in the global south where waste management infrastructure is inadequate. However, studies have highlighted the need for more research and development in the extruder design and operation, especially in terms of optimising temperature distribution and the cooling rate in order to prevent poor filament quality and inconsistent filament diameter. This paper describes the modelling of the temperature distribution and cooling rate of an extruder. The innovation is that the extruder is designed to be built and operated in low-income settings of the global south using locally available materials and skills. The aim of the work is to develop a mathematical model for evaluating the thermal distribution in the extruder as well as optimise the cooling rate conditions. The model is useful for optimising the operating conditions such as ambient temperature, extrusion temperature, extrusion speed, cooling rate and spooling mechanism.Item Open Access The potential of converting plastic waste to 3D printed products in Sub-Saharan Africa(Elsevier, 2023-01-02) Oyinlola, M. A.; Okoya, Silifat Abimbola; Whitehead, Timothy; Evans, Mark; Lowe, Anna SeraAdditive manufacturing (3D printing) can transform low-income societies with underdeveloped infrastructure and inadequate manufacturing capabilities. However, uptake in sub-Saharan Africa is still very low. This study adopted a transdisciplinary approach which included critical synthesis of the extant literature, laboratory experiment and a cross sectional engagement with stakeholders, to examine the potential of converting plastic waste to 3D printed products in sub-Saharan Africa. The study showed that while several extruders have been developed in the last decade, there are still many challenges some of which include difficulty to produce filaments with consistent diameter, degraded mechanical properties and health hazards from emissions during extrusion. Furthermore, it was observed that communities across sub-Saharan Africa are interested in 3D printing but do not have sufficient understanding. The study highlights the need for building local capacity to develop, operate and maintain technologies associated with 3D printing.Item Embargo Recycling of plastics for low cost construction(Elsevier, 2019-05-15) Oyinlola, M. A.; Whitehead, TimothyThe impact of waste plastics has been a key part of the environmental discourse in recent years and prominent environmentalists/sustainable development scholars have called for urgent action. This article discusses some of the innovative ways plastics have been used in low cost construction in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). It highlights the main benefits of using plastics in construction as well as identifies current gaps in the literature. Utilising plastics for low cost construction has implications for sustainable waste management and adequate housing in Low and Middle Income Communities of LMICs.Item Open Access Technology acceptance and readiness of stakeholders for transitioning to a circular plastic economy in Africa(Elsevier, 2022-08-10) Kolade, Oluwaseun; Odumuyiwa, Victor; Abolfathi, Soroush; Schröder, Patrick; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Akanmu, Ifeoluwa; Whitehead, Timothy; Tijani, Bosun; Oyinlola, M. A.Scholars and practitioners have highlighted the importance of digital innovations in the drive towards a circular plastic economy. Therefore this paper investigates the role of digital innovators and the public's response to digital innovations on the African continent. The study draws from four focus groups, and cross-sectional surveys of 33 digital innovators and 1475 community members across 20 low-middle income communities in five African countries. The results indicate that, while digital innovators are strongly optimistic and highly motivated, their engagement and impact on the circular plastic economy ecosystem are limited by a range of institutional, infrastructural and socio-cultural factors. Furthermore, results from the regression models of cross-sectional data of community members show that understanding of the technologies and perceived ease of use have significant positive impacts on uptake of technological innovations for the circular plastic economy, and perceived ease of use is also a significant moderator of barriers to adoption. The findings underline the need for a well-informed and motivated cohort of digital innovators to promote diffusion of circular plastic innovations. It also emphasizes the importance of a more collaborative, multistakeholder and multi-sectoral synergy to create a critical mass of the consumer public needed to break the linear economy lock-in mechanisms and accelerate the transition to a circular plastic economy in Africa.