The Co-Design and Development of Reusable Theatre Caps with NHS Scotland

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/sdrj.2026.191.05.

Abstract

This paper describes the co-design and development of a plant-based, biodegradable, and reusable theatre cap project, developed in collaboration with NHS Scotland. This project forms part of an ongoing UKRI / AHRC-funded Green Transition Ecosystem Hub entitled Design HOPES (Healthy Organisations in a Place-based Ecosystem, Scotland). Design HOPES is a transdisciplinary initiative that applies design-led innovation to address health service challenges while supporting net-zero sustainability goals. Recognising that healthcare is a major global emitter of greenhouse gases, this project seeks to reduce waste from single-use, disposable operating theatre consumables whilst improving communication amongst NHS Scotland theatre staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). By co-designing reusable, plant-based theatre caps with NHS Scotland theatre staff, the project aims to enhance comfort, functionality, and environmental sustainability. In 2023, an estimated 110 million disposable caps were sent to landfill worldwide, with around 2.5 million used annually in NHS Scotland hospitals alone. The reusable alternative theatre caps presented in this paper offer a scalable solution to reduce waste and carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system and improved working conditions for theatre staff.

Author Biographies

Paul Anthony Rodgers, University of Strathclyde

Paul Rodgers is Professor of Design at the University of Strathclyde, Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management (DMEM). He also holds the post of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Design Leadership Fellow. His research explores the discipline of design and how disruptive design interventions can enact positive change in health and social care and elsewhere. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Design from Middlesex University, London, and a PhD in Product Design Assessment from the University of Westminster, London. Prior to joining Strathclyde, he was Professor of Design at Imagination, Lancaster University, Professor of Design Issues at Northumbria University School of Design, Reader in Design at Edinburgh Napier University and a postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Engineering Design Centre. He has over 25 years of experience in product design research and has led several research projects in the UK. He is the author of more than 180 papers and 9 books on design and is the Series Editor for Routledge's Design Research for Change book series. https://www.designresearchforchange.co.uk

Lucy Welsh, Heriot Watt University

Lucy Welsh is a Research Associate for Design HOPES, a UK government funded project in collaboration with NHS Scotland, patient and public representatives, health and social care partners, academia, and industry. She works within the sustainable care theme introducing the use of reusable theatre caps made of sustainable materials with the goal of improving misidentification issues in the theatre setting as well as reducing the vast amount of disposable caps that hospitals discard on a daily basis. Lucy also teaches Fashion students all aspects of garment construction from creating patterns, producing prototypes, fitting toiles, and constructing the finished product.

Euan Winton , Heriot Watt University

Euan Winton's research explores the opportunities afforded to ordinary people when they work with designers, design approaches and techniques. This practice often refered to as co-design or co-creation has been utilised in the creation of lighting and artworks in urban environments, health care interventions, dementia support and care and debates around health and wellbeing. The design research practices engage holistic positions surrounding their application and as such will look at the effects of propositions or interventions in concern of environmental impact, social activation, empoerment of individuals and communities. His current research interests concerns design for heritage and environment, empowerment and care.

Lewis Urquhart, University of Strathclyde

Lewis Urquhart is a Research Associate at the department of Design Manufacturing and Engineering Management (DMEM) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. His research interests are wide, originally undertaking his doctorate exploring design emotion and ontologies of making and manufacturing. He has since undertaken work in a range of other areas including physical-digital interaction, virtual and augmented reality applications and design for rehabilitation, notably in the EU Horizon 2020 project PRIME-VR2. Lewis was the Research Associate for the AHRC's Design Exchange Partnership project 'Visualisation and engagement toolkit for coastal erosion system' which created a visualisation tool using an adaptable physical prototype in conjunction with an augmented reality application. Lewis is currently a researcher with the AHRC-funded project Design HOPES, led by Professor Paul Rodgers and Professor Mel Woods. One of the Green Transition Ecosystems, the project aims to tackle the critical sustainability challenges within NHS Scotland. Lewis has published on a wide variety of topics including design-emotion, philosophy, aesthetics, generative design and ontologies of making and manufacturing.

Niki Taylor , Edinburgh University

Niki Taylor is an educator, designer and fashion activist in regenerative textiles and fashion. She co-founded Fashion Revolution Scotland in 2014 and currently teaches at Edinburgh College of Art and the Edinburgh Futures Institute. She runs The Top Project, a sustainable fashion design consultancy, facilitating creative community workshops that bring people together, to educate and activate on positive change.

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Published

2026-09-14

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026): Jan-Jun

Section

Articles

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