On getting accessibility and accessibility research right– Prof Harold Thimbleby, FRCPE HonFRCP

The wording of the title was chosen so that it may be useful to quote in your own research work and especially in grant applications. The presentation will cover three points:

1. On my own accessibility story and the lessons from it
2. On international standards that need applying
3. On how to do good accessibility research

Professor Harold Thimbleby is a well-known speaker, with over 900 presentations around the world, and over 500 publications. He is Professor Emeritus of Gresham College and Swansea University, and was a Royal Society-Wolfson Research Merit Award holder. His most recent book written with his wife, Patient Safety — Stories for a digital world, is freely available at https://www.harold.thimbleby.net/booklet — it has had over 17,000 downloads.

Healthcare Environments for the Digital Era: Lessons from Medical Architecture – Dr Evangelia Chrysikou

As healthcare enters the digital era, environments must integrate technology while supporting human wellbeing. This keynote highlights three
interdisciplinary projects illustrating this shift. First, digital tools for architects in healthcare settings, exploring design leadership opportunities. Second, the impact of telehealth on the physical environment, examining how digital care reshapes spatial and perceptual needs. Third, research in cohabitation with care robots, investigating interactions between patients, technology, and space. Understanding the opportunities and risks of these developments is critical, especially as health as a human right faces growing global challenges.

Dr Evangelia Chrysikou is Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction UCL and Founder/Program Director of the MSc Healthcare Facilities. Multi-awarded RIBA architect and healthcare planner. She has published widely and has won several prestigious grants and fellowships including Horizon 2020, UKRI, Wellcome, British Academy, Royal Society of New Zealand, Sasakawa Foundation. Evangelia is a Member of the National Accessibility Authority in Hellenic Republic by invitation from the Greek Prime Minister. She was the coordinator of the Environment Section of the European Innovation Partnership on Healthy and Active Aging of the EU and has worked as a consultant for
international government bodies such as the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Peru Reconstruction Mechanism and the British Government for projects related to healthcare planning and architecture. Former Vice-President of the Urban Public Health section of EUPHA. ULI Life Sciences and Healthcare Council Leadership Committee Member.