Yong Hun Lim

Dr Yong Hun Lim

  • u_ylim at bournemouth dot ac dot uk
  • Associate Head of School of Computing and Engineering
UN SDGs:
Back to top

Biography

Dr Yonghun Lim is Associate Head of School and Principal Academic in Product Design within the School of Computing and Engineering, Faculty of Media, Science & Technology.

He specialises in human-centred design innovation, with particular expertise in psychosocial inclusivity in design. His research explores the cognitive, emotional, social, and value-driven dimensions of design to enhance individual and collective wellbeing across diverse contexts.

Yonghun has contributed to several externally funded research projects in collaboration with organisations including Sainsbury’s, Motability, Heathrow Airport Ltd., and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). His work bridges academia, industry, and healthcare, translating inclusive design research into tangible real-world impact.

Beyond Bournemouth University, he contributes to the wider academic community as an External Examiner at the University of the West of England (BA Product Design / BSc Product Design Technology) and Coventry University (MA Design Management)...

more

Research

RESEARHC EXPERTIES

Inclusive Design • Co-design & Participatory Design • Human-Centred Design (HCD) • Psychosocial Inclusivity

Yonghun’s research investigates how design can address not only functional accessibility but also emotional wellbeing, social participation, and psychological dignity. His work places particular emphasis on designing for underrepresented or marginalised groups, with the aim of fostering equitable and meaningful user experiences.

PhD SUPERVISION

Yonghun welcomes enquiries from prospective PhD candidates interested in socially responsive and inclusive design research.

SUPERVISION INTERESTS

• Inclusive and Human-Centred Design: Methodologies for translating complex user needs into empathetic, evidence-based design solutions, with particular attention to psychosocial inclusivity - addressing emotional wellbeing, dignity, stigma, and social participation.

• Healthcare and Digital Health Innovation: Inclusive approaches to assistive technologies, medical devices, and digital health systems (e.g., remote care, wearable technologies, AI-enabled health tools), ensuring usability, trust, and equitable access.

• Participatory and Co-design Practices: Collaborative design processes that engage patients, communities, and stakeholders in shaping meaningful and contextually grounded innovation.

• Design for Wellbeing and Social Impact: Research exploring how design can enhance quality of life across healthcare, public services, and community contexts, particularly for underrepresented or marginalised groups.

Favourites

  • Bateson, M.J., Lim, Y., 2024. Bridging the gap: a multidisciplinary approach to integrated care solutions for the aging population. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 1557-1566.
  • Williams, R.C., Lim, Y., 2024. Designing positive emotional experiences of wearable medical technology for type 1 diabetes. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 1697-1706.
  • Lim, Y., Giacomin, J., Nickpour, F., 2021. What Is Psychosocially Inclusive Design? A Definition with Constructs. Design Journal, 24 (1), 5-28.
  • Lim, Y., Giacomin, J., Yin, Y., Nickpour, F., 2019. A first-time investigation of psychosocial inclusivity in design: Inclusive supermarket design for older individuals. Journal of Design Research, 17 (2-4), 93-124.
  • Lim, Y., 2018. Psychosocial Inclusivity in Design: A Definition and Dimensions. Department of Design, Brunel University London.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., Giacomin, J., 2016. Beyond accessible mobility: Insights into psychosocial inclusivity dimensions in personal transport. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 229, 571-581.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Good health and well-being

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages"

more information

Quality education

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"

more information

Reduced inequalities

"Reduce inequality within and among countries"

more information

Sustainable cities and communities

"Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable"

more information

Journal Articles

  • Bateson, M.J., Lim, Y., 2024. Bridging the gap: a multidisciplinary approach to integrated care solutions for the aging population. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 1557-1566.
  • Williams, R.C., Lim, Y., 2024. Designing positive emotional experiences of wearable medical technology for type 1 diabetes. Proceedings of the Design Society, 4, 1697-1706.
  • Laschok, Z.M., Lim, Y.H., 2021. DYSLEXIA AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT; A PRODUCT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS TO ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH THE INTENT OF IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM. Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 1323-1332.
  • Lim, Y., Giacomin, J., Nickpour, F., 2021. What Is Psychosocially Inclusive Design? A Definition with Constructs. Design Journal, 24 (1), 5-28.
  • Lim, Y., Giacomin, J., Yin, Y., Nickpour, F., 2019. A first-time investigation of psychosocial inclusivity in design: Inclusive supermarket design for older individuals. Journal of Design Research, 17 (2-4), 93-124.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., Giacomin, J., 2016. Beyond accessible mobility: Insights into psychosocial inclusivity dimensions in personal transport. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 229, 571-581.

Chapters

  • Spinelli, G., Micocci, M., Tsekleves, E., Wang, Y.-H., Martin, W., Lim, Y., Shamim, U., 2020. (Accepted) Contemporary themes in the design of AT for the ageing population: materiality, co-design and cultural influences. In: Woodcock, A., Moody, L., McDonagh, D., Jain, A., Jain, L., eds. Design of Assistive Technology for Ageing Population. Springer International Publishing.
  • Spinelli, G., Micocci, M., Tsekleves, E., Wang, Y.H., Martin, W., Lim, Y., Shamim, U., 2020. Contemporary themes in the design of AT for the ageing population: Materiality, co-design and cultural influences. Design of Assistive Technology for Ageing Populations, Intelligent Systems Reference Library. Springer, Cham, 41-58.

Conferences

  • Hossain, M.S., van Teijlingen, E., powell, J., Mecrow, T., Sindall, R., Cha, K., Mytton, J., Dutta, N.C., Parveen, R., Lim, Y., Conrad, F., Rahman, A., 2024. Using human-centred design (HCD) to develop community-led interventions for preventing drowning among children under 2 years in rural Bangladesh. In: the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion (Safety 2024). 02/09/2024 Delhi, India. Injury Prevention, 30 (207), A42 BMJ.
  • Laschok, Z.M., Lim, Y.H., 2021. Dyslexia and Self-development; A product for primary school classrooms to encourage social interaction with the intent of improving self-esteem. In: International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 21) 16/08/2021 Gothenburg, Sweden.
  • Lim, Y., Giacomin, J., Nickpour, F., 2018. Beyond Accessible Aisles? Psychosocial Inclusivity of Shopping Experience: an ethnographic investigation. In: DRS2018 25/06/2018 Limerick, Ireland.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., Giacomin, J., 2016. Mentality Shift in Inclusive Design: From Physical to Psychosocial Inclusion. In: 8th Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT 16) 21/03/2016 Cambridge, UK.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., 2015. Psychosocial Inclusion in Design A definition and framework. In: Include 2015 17/09/2015 Royal College of Art, UK.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., 2015. Inclusive design; From physical to psychosocial - A literature analysis toward a definition of psychosocial dimensions in design. Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design Iced, 9 (DS 80-09), 45-56.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., 2014. Psychosocial inclusion: A Framework for Design. In: 7th Annual Student Research Conference 2014 (ResCon14) 23/06/2014 Brunel University London.

Reports

Theses

  • Lim, Y., 2018. Psychosocial Inclusivity in Design: A Definition and Dimensions. Department of Design, Brunel University London.

Exhibitions

  • Lim, Y.. Made in Brunel (Annual design showcase of Brunel University London). Oxo Tower, Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH. 14/06/2012.
  • Lim, Y.. Made in Brunel (Annual design showcase of Brunel University London). Oxo Tower, Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH. 16/06/2016.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F., Giacomin, J.. [Poster exhibition] Mentality Shift in Inclusive Design: From Physical to Psychosocial inclusion. The 8th Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT 16). University of Cambridge, UK. 22/03/2016.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F.. [Poster exhibition] Psychosocial Inclusion in Design A definition and framework. Include 2015. Royal College of Art, UK. 17/09/2015.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F.. [Poster exhibition] Inclusive design: from physical to psychosocial - a literature analysis towards a definition of psychosocial dimensions in design. 20th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED 15) Vol 9: User-Centred Design. Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy. 27/07/2015.
  • Lim, Y., Nickpour, F.. [Poster exhibition] Psychosocial inclusion: A Framework for Design. 7th Annual Student Research Conference 2014 (ResCon14). Bruenl University London, UK. 23/06/2014.
  • Spencer, R., Keen, D., Lim, Y., Lim, Y.H.. Design for Future Exhibition. Design for Future Exhibition. Winchester School of Art. 17/01/2024.
  • Spencer, R., Keen, D., Lim, Y., Lim, Y.H.. Design for Future Exhibition. Design for Future Exhibition. Winchester School of Art. 17/01/2024.
  • Piazza, A., Lim, Y., Lim, Y.H.. Prototypes for Humanity. Prototypes for Humanity. Dubai, UAE. 28/11/2023.

Profile of Teaching PG

  • MDes Project
  • Individual Masters Project (EPM and DM Masters Project )

Profile of Teaching UG

  • Product Design Projects 3
  • Product Design Projects 2B
  • Team Project
  • Design Studies 1
  • Design Futures Projects 2A
  • Design Futures Projects 2B
  • Design Futures Projects 3
  • Design Communication
  • Human Centred Design Projects
  • Design Projects & Prototyping

Invited Lectures

  • Psychosocial inclusive design in care home design, Winchester School of Art/University of Southampton, 28 Jun 2024 more
  • Design Research Methodology: Case Study, KMITL, Thailand, 21 Aug 2021 more

Grants

  • Psychosocial inclusivity in medical device design (BU Design and Engineering QR, 21 Mar 2021, 30 Nov 2023). In Progress
  • Psychosocial inclusivity in older people’ smart supermarket shopping (BU Design and Engineering QR, 07 Dec 2022). Completed
  • Drowning Prevention for newly mobile infants under 2 years in Bangladesh (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), 01 Nov 2022). In Progress
  • Psychosocial inclusivity in design (BU Design and Engineering QR, 21 Mar 2021). Completed
  • Psychosocial inclusivity in design (BU Design and Engineering QR, 18 Apr 2019). Completed

External Responsibilities

  • UWE (University of the West of England) Bristol, External Academic Adviser for programme review (2025)
  • Royal Society of Arts, Judge for the Pupil Design Awards (2024-272024), https://www.thersa.org/pupil-design-awards
  • UWE (University of the West of England) Bristol, Field External Examiner (2024-3092028)
  • Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, External advisor for a programme review (2024-2922024)
  • Coventry University, External Examiner for MA Design Management (2024-3092028)
  • Coventry University and CUC (Communication University of China), External panel member for programme approval (2023-3042023)
  • Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), Accreditation Panel member (2021-)
  • IASDR Conference, Reviewer (2019-)

Internal Responsibilities

  • Department open day lead, Department of Design and Engineering
  • Department Internationalisation Lead, Design and Engineering
  • Deputy Head of Department, Design and Engineering
  • Interim Deputy Head of Department, Design and Engineering
  • Programme leader, BA (Hons) Product Design Futures, Design and Engineering
  • FoDE (Festival of Design & Engineering: final year degree show) Coordinator, Department of Design and Engineering
  • Committee member, BU Department Inclusivity Committee
  • Member, Quality Assurance and Enhancement Group (QAEG)

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • BMC Public Health, Open peer review, 08 Jul 2025
  • Technology Architecture and Design, Anonymous peer review, 28 Mar 2025
  • SSM: Qualitative Research in Health, 19 Dec 2024

Public Engagement & Outreach Activities

  • In Person International Agent Training in Korea - Design Programmes (08 Aug 2024)
  • Webinar at Kaplan Korea: Overview of Design Programmes at Bournemouth University (07 Aug 2024)

Conference Presentations

  • DESIGN 2024, 20 May 2024, Cavtat, Croatia
  • ICED2021, 16 Aug 2021, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • UD2016, 21 Aug 2016, York, UK
  • ICED 15, 27 Jul 2015, Milan, Italy

Qualifications

  • PGCert in Education Practice (Bournemouth University, 2020)
  • PhD in Design Research (Brunel University London, UK, 2018)
  • MSc in Integrated Product Design (Brunel University London, UK, 2012)
  • BFA in Craft Design (Cheongju University, South Korea, 2008)

Honours

  • You’re Brilliant Award (Student Union Bournemouth University, 2026)
  • Exceptional Support Staff 2017 Award, 6th Student Led Teaching Awards (Shortlisted) (Brunel University London, 2017)
  • Winner of the 2012 Jaguar Land Rover Design challenge (Certified) (Jaguar Land Rover, 2012)
  • 2nd winner of The BT Innovative Design Prize 2012 (Certified) (British Telecom, 2012)
  • Joenbook Art Awards (Joenbook Art Awards, South Korea, 2007)
  • KDC 36th National University Design Awards (KDC, South korea, 2007)

Memberships

  • Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), Member (2021-),
  • Higher Education Academy (HEA), Fellow (2020-),

External Media and Press

The data on this page was last updated at 05:00 on February 18, 2026.