Dr Abigail Batley
- u_abatley at bournemouth dot ac dot uk
- Lecturer in Engineering Design
- Keywords:
- PhD Supervisor
Biography
Dr Abi Batley is the Programme Leader for BA/BSc Product Design at Bournemouth University, where she is dedicated to delivering an exceptional and modern design education. Her primary focus is on ensuring the course provides students with the skills, confidence and professional awareness needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving design industry. This includes embedding modern design practices within the curriculum, such as the development of a new AI-focused unit that prepares students to critically engage with emerging technologies and their impact on the design process.
Abi has a background in product design, visualisation and rapid prototyping, and has previously worked with organisations including the RNLI, Drilling Systems and STYLIDEAS. These experiences inform her teaching and help ensure the course remains strongly connected to current industry practice. She is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for students to engage with industry through live projects, collaborations and networking initiatives...
Alongside her role within the university, Abi actively works to strengthen the regional design ecosystem. She leads Design Wave, an initiative aimed at building a thriving design community across Dorset by connecting designers, industry partners and students through events, talks and collaborative opportunities.
Abi’s research focuses on the application of additive manufacturing within the biomedical sector, particularly in the development of prosthetic devices. Her PhD explored the use of composite additive manufacturing for paediatric prosthetics, with a focus on developing dynamic response ankle–foot devices that support children in participating in sport and physical activity. This area continues to shape her research interests, with the goal of using advanced manufacturing technologies to improve accessibility and quality of life for prosthetic users.
Through her teaching, research and community engagement, Abi is committed to ensuring that the Product Design course continues to evolve, providing students with an inspiring, industry-relevant education that equips them to become the next generation of innovative designers.
moreResearch
Composite additive manufacturing of dynamic response paediatric prosthetic ankle-foot devices.
Material analysis of additively manufactured composite materials.
Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Concept Generation, Ideation, and Design Methodology: in Product Design Education.
Journal Articles
- Batley, A., Glithro, R., Montalvão, D., Dyer, B., Sewell, P., 2025. Parametric analysis of 3D printing parameters on stiffness and hysteresis characteristics of pediatric prosthetic foot coupon samples. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 49 (3), 327-334.
- Batley, A., Glithro, R., Dyer, B., Sewell, P., 2024. Evaluation of Tensile Strength and Repeatability of 3D Printed Carbon Fiber Materials and Processes. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 11 (5), 1691-1702.
- Batley, A., Dyer, B., Sewell, P., 2024. Effect of Humidity on the Stiffness and Hysteresis of Composite 3D-Printed Pediatric Prosthetic Foot Coupon Samples. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
- Batley, A., Sewell, P., Dyer, B., 2023. Facilitators and barriers for participation in sports and physical activity for children with lower-limb absence: A systematic review. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 47 (4), 368-378.
- Dyer, B., Glithro, R., Batley, A., 2022. The design of an upper arm prosthesis utilising 3D printing conceived for the 2020 Tokyo paralympic games: A technical note. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng, 9, 20556683221113309.
Conferences
- Batley, A., Conrad, F., Stewart, C., 2025. Empowering the Pipeline: Developing a Human-Centred Multi-Level Mentorship Framework for Women in Design & Engineering. In: 27th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education 11/09/2025 The University of Malta, Valletta Campus.
- Batley, A., Glithro, R., 2024. Exploring the Synergy of AI Generative Fill in Photoshop and the Creative Design Process utilising informal learning. In: 26th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education 04/09/2024 Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
- Reynolds, T., Batley, A., 2024. EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ON CONCEPT GENERATION, IDEATION, AND DESIGN METHODOLOGY: IN PRODUCT DESIGN EDUCATION. Proceedings of the 26th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education Rise of the Machines Design Education in the Generative AI Era E and Pde 2024, 37-42.
- Batley, A., Sewell, P., Roberts, W., 2023. AN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SUPPORTED SUPPLY CHAIN – EDUCATIONAL CASE STUDIES. Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education Responsible Innovation for Global Co Habitation E and Pde 2023, 79-84.
- Batley, A., Sewell, P., Roberts, W., 2023. AN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING SUPPORTED SUPPLY CHAIN - EDUCATIONAL CASE STUDIES. PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING AND PRODUCT DESIGN EDUCATION, E&PDE 2023, 123, 79-84.
Theses
- Batley, A., 2025. An Investigation into composite additive manufacturing of dynamic response paediatric prosthetic ankle-foot devices. Bournemouth University, Faculty of Science and Technology.
PhD Students
- Sattam Alharbi, 2028. Additive Manufacturing Prosthetics Development,, (In progress)
- Kieran Smith, 2032. AI application on designing 3D printed 2D materials-based nanocomposite heatsinks, (In progress)
Profile of Teaching PG
- Masters of Research Supervision
- PhD Supervision
Profile of Teaching UG
- BA/BSc Product Design: Digital Design Tool & AI, Design Projects 1, Design Communication, Product Design Projects 2A, Product Design Projects 2B, Product Design Projects 3, Product Design Prototypes, Product Design Tools, Team Project, Materials & Technology B.
- BA Product Design Futures: Product Design Tools, Visual Concept Communication.
- BSc Design Engineering: Design Engineering Projects 1, Design Engineering Project 3, Design Communication.
- BSc Mechanical Engineering: Engineering Design with Practice
Grants
- Design Wave (HEIF, 06 Mar 2026). In Progress
- Surgical Task Trainer KTP (Innovate UK, 01 Mar 2026). Awarded
- Exploring the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on 3D printing and fabrication, focusing on the user experience from an HCI perspective. (QR, 01 Dec 2024). Awarded
- Evaluating Generative AI within the creative product design process to reduce development time (PER Seed Fund, 16 May 2024). Completed
- Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Concept Generation, Ideation, and Design Methodology: in Product Design Education. (QR, 11 Oct 2023). In Progress
- GB Paracyclist Arm Prostheses Concept. (Privately Funded, 05 Mar 2022). Completed
- Development of a prototype system for the photogrammetric capture and digital fabrication of bespoke prosthetic limb sockets for amputees. (QR, 16 Feb 2022). In Progress
- Material analysis testing of additively manufactured composite materials (QR, 19 Jan 2022). Completed
- An advanced manufacturing supported supply chain – Enhancing the efficiency of the RNLI (Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), 01 Sep 2017). Completed
Public Engagement & Outreach Activities
- Zwick Roell Test Expo 2025 (13 Oct 2025-15 Oct 2025)
- James Dyson Foundation (01 Sep 2016-01 Sep 2017)
- KDC Alumni
Conference Presentations
- 27th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education, Empowering the Pipeline: Developing a Human-Centred Multi-Level Mentorship Framework for Women in Design & Engineering, 11 Sep 2025, The University of Malta, Valletta Campus
- I.S.P.O. 20th World Congress 2025, Exploring the Potential of Composite 3D Printing for Dynamic Paediatric Prosthetic Feet: A Study on Stiffness and Hysteresis, 16 Jun 2025, Stockholm
- Engineering and Product Design Education 2024, EXPLORING THE SYNERGY OF AI GENERATIVE FILL IN PHOTOSHOP AND THE CREATIVE DESIGN PROCESS UTILISING INFORMAL LEARNING., 04 Sep 2024, Aston University, Birmingham
- Engineering and Product Design Education 2024, EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ON CONCEPT GENERATION, IDEATION, AND DESIGN METHODOLOGY: IN PRODUCT DESIGN EDUCATION., 04 Sep 2024, Aston University, Birmingham
- Engineering and Product Design Education 2023, An advanced manufacturing supported supply chain – Educational case studies., 07 Sep 2023, Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering
- The Additive Manufacturing Virtual Conference, Mast Latch Handle Case Study, 06 Oct 2020, London - Online
Qualifications
- PhD in Biomedical Design & Engineering (Bournemouth University, 2025)
- BSc (Hons) in Product Design (Bournemouth University, 2017)
Honours
- Geoff Kirk Young Members Award (Institute of Engineering Designers, 2024)
- James Dyson Foundation Award (2016)
- You're Brilliant Award (SUBU)
Memberships
- IED Registered Product Designer, Member (2024-),
- Institution of Engineering Designers, Member (2022-),
- Higher Education Academy, Fellow (2022-),