Dr Jennifer Manuel Email & Phone Number

Sunderland, Gb

Founded and built the new User-Centred System Design division in MHCLG. We work in remediation and building safety, while developing specialist capability in the department to take user-centred systems approaches to complex problems. In remediation, our team will develop a user-centred system view of remediation that will prioritise and tackle complex cross-cutting issues to support continuous improvement for our users. We will develop and maintain a strategic view of the system and all… Show more Founded and built the new User-Centred System Design division in MHCLG. We work in remediation and building safety, while developing specialist capability in the department to take user-centred systems approaches to complex problems. In remediation, our team will develop a user-centred system view of remediation that will prioritise and tackle complex cross-cutting issues to support continuous improvement for our users. We will develop and maintain a strategic view of the system and all its parts; lead on user research and design; and work collaboratively to deep dive into complex problem spaces.Additional leadership roles: MHCLG SCS Sponsor for User-Centred Design: supporting, championing and advocating for user-centred design across the organisation, and providing leadership support to our user researchers, service designers, content designers and more. Darlington Economic Campus Policy and Research Lead: supporting the x-gov campus to connect strategically with academics across the region to work together on key policy questions, building on my experience and networks in academia. Show less

Delivering UCD projects on a large-scale modernisation and transformation programme seeking to improve frontline public health services. Supporting multiple UCD project teams to deliver user-centred solutions to a range of problems within a complex system, and developing a systems map to support transformation. Building a new user-centred design team to support the design and improvement of services, systems, and technology in UKHSA. Developing the maturity of the UCD function, supporting… Show more Delivering UCD projects on a large-scale modernisation and transformation programme seeking to improve frontline public health services. Supporting multiple UCD project teams to deliver user-centred solutions to a range of problems within a complex system, and developing a systems map to support transformation. Building a new user-centred design team to support the design and improvement of services, systems, and technology in UKHSA. Developing the maturity of the UCD function, supporting the development of communities of practice, and creating learning pathways for UCD professionals. Show less

Leading system design in the Ukraine Humanitarian Taskforce. Working to ensure we consider individual policy areas, products and services as part of one holistic system, where the parts of the system interact with one another to provide an end-to-end journey for people. Crucially, taking a user-centred design lens to ensure the best experience for users and to design policies and services that genuinely meet needs. Drawing from systems thinking and relational approaches to service delivery… Show more Leading system design in the Ukraine Humanitarian Taskforce. Working to ensure we consider individual policy areas, products and services as part of one holistic system, where the parts of the system interact with one another to provide an end-to-end journey for people. Crucially, taking a user-centred design lens to ensure the best experience for users and to design policies and services that genuinely meet needs. Drawing from systems thinking and relational approaches to service delivery to support the work.The goal of system design is to: 1) understand the individual parts of the system, how they work and how they interact together; 2) map services and the system as a whole to aid understanding; 3) understand dependencies between individual services; 4) be able to consider the impact of changes in any part of the system to the system as a whole and highlight resultant effects or unintended consequences; and, crucially, 5) overlay user research insights to identify pain points across a system. Show less

Lead on user research in planning reform, embedding a user-centred approach into policy and implementation in planning and advocating for user needs in decision-making.Crucially, understanding the change and impact of reforms from a user perspective and to understand what user's need to implement reforms successfully. Creating a future system view of the reformed planning system from the input of users.

Open Lab

"Re-Designing Planning Policy Processes and Embedding Technology: The Case of Neighbourhood Planning". As part of the Digital Civics Centre for Doctoral Training, my PhD focused on the ways in which digital and non-digital tools and support could be designed to better support citizens in policymaking, using the example of neighbourhood planning. I make recommendations for policy to be co-designed with citizens and recommend a range of inclusive design approaches, as well as recommending… Show more "Re-Designing Planning Policy Processes and Embedding Technology: The Case of Neighbourhood Planning". As part of the Digital Civics Centre for Doctoral Training, my PhD focused on the ways in which digital and non-digital tools and support could be designed to better support citizens in policymaking, using the example of neighbourhood planning. I make recommendations for policy to be co-designed with citizens and recommend a range of inclusive design approaches, as well as recommending that civic technology is also co-designing and embedded within policy processes. Areas of expertise covered through the PhD include: - User-centred design - User research - Systems thinking - Design thinking - Inclusive design - Relational services - Human-computer interactionDigital Civics is a cross-disciplinary endeavour that brings together researchers in the fields of computer science (Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Ubiquitous Computing, and Computer Security, Privacy and Trust) with researchers in Public Health, Social Care, Education, Planning and Politics. Show less

Module Leader of Development Management3rd year undergraduate module on BA Urban Planning20 credit module key to RTPI accreditationFocuses on developing knowledge of planning law, procedures and the practical evaluation of planning issues readying students for professional life. I develop and deliver lecture content, interactive workshops to apply practical skills, organise a range of external speakers from the planning profession, and manage the assessment process. During the… Show more Module Leader of Development Management3rd year undergraduate module on BA Urban Planning20 credit module key to RTPI accreditationFocuses on developing knowledge of planning law, procedures and the practical evaluation of planning issues readying students for professional life. I develop and deliver lecture content, interactive workshops to apply practical skills, organise a range of external speakers from the planning profession, and manage the assessment process. During the move to online learning, I am responsible for moving content online, re-designing the module to suit different learning modes as well as considering the potential changes to future development management systems given the proposed reforms in the Planning for the Future White Paper. Show less

Shaping Towns and Cities 1st year undergraduate module on BA Urban Planning Leading seminar groups through the study skills element of the module to set a foundation for students to move through academic life. The seminars focus on critical reading, analysing academic texts across multiple sources, building an argument, and appropriate referencing. Delivering the seminars in an interactive format online during Covid-19, encouraging discussions between peers.

Worked with the Global Urban Research Unit (GURU) to develop and design their 25th anniversary brochure, celebrating the achievements and work of the research group. Liaising and working alongside GURU’s Director and other GURU members to collect information and images, as well as admin support staff to organise production. Developed and designed materials for the Association of European Schools of Planning Head of School and GURU25 Conference including a new GURU25 logo, banner stands… Show more Worked with the Global Urban Research Unit (GURU) to develop and design their 25th anniversary brochure, celebrating the achievements and work of the research group. Liaising and working alongside GURU’s Director and other GURU members to collect information and images, as well as admin support staff to organise production. Developed and designed materials for the Association of European Schools of Planning Head of School and GURU25 Conference including a new GURU25 logo, banner stands, programmes, and booklet. Show less

Planning Processes1st year undergraduate module on BA Urban PlanningSupporting students to think about the basic processes involved in the planning system to assess development and create places. Leading interactive sessions, drop-in support sessions, and answering queries related to assessments.

Interaction Design Module as part of the Masters of Research in Digital CivicsSupported the module through the use of neighbourhood planning as a case study for the assignment. Led lectures to demonstrate the use of Bootlegger, a participatory video tool, and to provide the context of neighbourhood planning to students unfamiliar with the discipline of town planning.

Digital Civics2nd year undergraduate module on BA Urban PlanningSupported this new module through the development of seminar content to lead students through a technology design process with real-world clients. The module focused on bringing together learning from the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with Urban Planning. I led seminars, delivering presentations and interactive activities, as well as supporting the small groups in their projects. Seminar content focused on… Show more Digital Civics2nd year undergraduate module on BA Urban PlanningSupported this new module through the development of seminar content to lead students through a technology design process with real-world clients. The module focused on bringing together learning from the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with Urban Planning. I led seminars, delivering presentations and interactive activities, as well as supporting the small groups in their projects. Seminar content focused on developing research skills and methods, introducing user-centred design as a concept, and supporting students to engage with citizens. Further supported the module as an Academic Mentor for students to specifically focus on the academic work that provides the foundation for Digital Civics. Show less

Digital CivicsModule as part of the Masters of Research in Digital CivicsSpeaking to students in a seminar format providing information and answering questions about my MRes and PhD projects to show the relation to Digital Civics and the considerations of using technology in neighbourhood planning

Freelance work for a number of clients primarily in two fields: planning and graphic design. I have delivered reports, conservation statements, and community publications focused on heritage regeneration for planning clients, carrying out all research, writing and design work. In addition, I have designed a range of products for businesses and personal circumstances to promote events, organisational work, and personal events. This includes leaflets, posters, business cards, exhibition… Show more Freelance work for a number of clients primarily in two fields: planning and graphic design. I have delivered reports, conservation statements, and community publications focused on heritage regeneration for planning clients, carrying out all research, writing and design work. In addition, I have designed a range of products for businesses and personal circumstances to promote events, organisational work, and personal events. This includes leaflets, posters, business cards, exhibition material, community newsletters, roller banners, vinyl banners and much more. I have also designed wedding stationery and personalised prints. Show less

Understanding Sustainable Development2nd year undergraduate module on BA Urban Planning Working alongside other staff to mark assessments with a focus on land use and transport.

Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

I worked full time for Involve North East who are experts in innovative and practical involvement. I worked with patients, communities and harder to reach groups to gain the insight needed to design the best, most responsive and cost-effective services. My role was to plan the research relating to specific health topics or service pathways including establishing the aims and objectives of the project, deciding on the most appropriate research methods (mainly qualitative) and designing… Show more I worked full time for Involve North East who are experts in innovative and practical involvement. I worked with patients, communities and harder to reach groups to gain the insight needed to design the best, most responsive and cost-effective services. My role was to plan the research relating to specific health topics or service pathways including establishing the aims and objectives of the project, deciding on the most appropriate research methods (mainly qualitative) and designing the research questions. I liaised with other external organisations to manage information governance across organisational boundaries and to organise recruitment of participants with health professionals. I also assisted with the involvement of communities through the use of interviews, focus groups, participatory appraisal and other methods.I monitored data collection and coded and analysed the data to identify trends and outcomes to produce a report to feed back to the client with comprehensive recommendations for the future of the health service or pathway. I also assisted with the marketing aspects of their work by producing the community e-news and using my graphic design skills to design any materials relevant to the business. I developed and managed an Employer's Network to deliver activities that would assist our research whilst liaising with Health Advocates in other workplaces to support them in their role. Show less

I assisted with the involvement of local people in their local health and social care services to inform service delivery. I spoke to harder to reach communities and specific interest groups about their health and the services they used to elicit rich data for the research project. I managed the e-news and assisted in the Better Health at Work Award as well as assisting with website and promotional content and attending and assisting at involvement events.

Led and supporting the delivery of planning and heritage projects, specialising in projects related to community engagement. Supported one of the first 17 neighbourhood planning frontrunners - supported engagement, facilitating community priorities, advising groups through a complex process, ensuring final plan was delivered. Delivered grant funding bids to gain £1million+ to support heritage regeneration projectsDelivered community engagement events for a range of projects… Show more Led and supporting the delivery of planning and heritage projects, specialising in projects related to community engagement. Supported one of the first 17 neighbourhood planning frontrunners - supported engagement, facilitating community priorities, advising groups through a complex process, ensuring final plan was delivered. Delivered grant funding bids to gain £1million+ to support heritage regeneration projectsDelivered community engagement events for a range of projects including a number of Heritage Lottery Funded THIs. Delivered Conservation Area Character Appraisals and assessments of the significance of heritage assets for a range of historic buildings and areas, including listed buildings. Carrying out research to support heritage projects using archives. Show less

I assisted in a wide range of projects in the planning and heritage sector, including the development of large funding bids for heritage-led regeneration schemes and delivery of community consultation events. I developed and assisted with a £1.9 million Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative bid, including project managing the compilation of the bid, collecting relevant information from the client and checking costings against budgets. I also developed activity plans to suggest… Show more I assisted in a wide range of projects in the planning and heritage sector, including the development of large funding bids for heritage-led regeneration schemes and delivery of community consultation events. I developed and assisted with a £1.9 million Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative bid, including project managing the compilation of the bid, collecting relevant information from the client and checking costings against budgets. I also developed activity plans to suggest activities, workshops and events that appeal to a wide audience within a community.In addition, I co-facilitated one of the first national pilot ‘frontrunners’ for Neighbourhood Planning at Fish Quay, North Shields working extensively with the community. This involved organising, preparing and delivering workshops along with providing advice and support to the group wherever necessary. I also carried out instrumental research in the project to inform other professionals and academics.I also assisted with a wide range of other conservation projects including conservation area character appraisals and management strategies and other community-led projects. Show less

Master’S Degree, Mres In Digital Civics, Distinction

Studied: Digital Civics, HCI, Research Methods, Interaction Design, Technology for Digital Civics. My main research project was working.

Master’S Degree, Town Planning

Conversion of Diploma to Masters through a dissertation which explored the challenges faced by town planners when carrying out engagement.

Postgraduate Diploma In Town Planning, Pass With Distinction

The Postgraduate Diploma provided the opportunity to work with clients on live projects as well as carry out research to inform the need.

Ba Town Planning, 2:1