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Jessie Buckle

MRI Study 1/5, Pinnacle Imaging Centre, Andheri East, CritiCare Asia, Mumbai.
Research

Subject

Epilepsy, Climate and the Built Environment

First and second supervisors 

Abstract

This PhD examines the intersection between epilepsy, climate, and the built environment, with a focus on how architectural design influences the frequency and severity of seizures. With epilepsy affecting over 65 million people globally and the increasing threat of climate change exacerbating health risks, this research addresses a critical gap in architectural and medical scholarship. While existing studies have explored the relationship between factors such as lighting and colour temperature on seizures (photo-sensitive epilepsy, which impacts 3% of epilepsy sufferers), the role of architectural design variables and environmental concerns has been overlooked. Scholarly works on disability, sensory architecture, and climate change will guide the exploration of disability theory and its implications for architectural design.  

This PhD proposes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating methodologies such as episodic interviews, autoethnography, neurophenomenological analysis and visual representation, to explore how climate and architectural design impact people with epilepsy. Creating frameworks which can be applied to other conditions and disabilities. A significant portion of the research will include the lived experience of the researcher, who lives with generalised epilepsy, providing a unique perspective on the condition's interaction with environmental stimuli. The research will also involve the production of creative visual projects, which represent the sensory and emotional experiences of those with epilepsy, creating empathy and a deeper understanding of the condition. 

Furthermore, this research seeks to contribute to the development of guidelines for neuro-inclusive design within architectural standards and broader sustainable construction frameworks, influence building standards and inform inclusive design practices. By addressing the intersection of epilepsy, climate change, and the built environment, the research aims to foster a more equitable and inclusive built environment, improving the daily lives of people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

Biography

Jessie Buckle (she/her) RIBA BArch (Hons) MArch (Dist.) MA PGCert (Dist.), FHEA, SFHEA, is completing a PhD in Architectural Design at University College London, conducting innovative research regarding the relationship between epilepsy, climate and the built environment. Jessie is an Inclusive Design Consultant, Architectural Designer, Historian and Writer. As an Inclusive Design Consultant, Jessie provides specialist advice and acts as a key advisor within the built environment to ensure the highest levels of inclusive design and accessibility are incorporated. Jessie is the Seminar Lead at the Access Association, coordinating national seminars through the lens of accessibility and inclusivity. Jessie is the Accessibility Forum Chair for London City Airport, committed to championing inclusion and accessibility within the aviation industry.  

Publications

  • Buckle, J. (2024) ‘Disabling Environments: Absences in Architectural Conditions’ Society of Architectural Historians GB. Spring 2024, Issue 18. Pg 19.  

Interviews 

Journal and Magazine Articles 

  • Buckle, J. (2024) ‘Disabling Environments: Absences in Architectural Conditions’ Society of Architectural Historians GB. Spring 2024, Issue 18. Pg 19. 
  • Buckle, J. (2024) ‘An Artful Design’ Inclusive Design Magazine. Spring 2024, Issue 4, Pg. 5 and 50. Available at: https://issuu.com/julietdaviesid/docs/id_may_jun_24_web_final  (Accessed: 6th November 2024). 
  • Buckle, J. (2021) ‘Exploring Feminist Theory and Feminist Architecture’, ‘Innovative Examples of Sustainable Cladding’ and ‘Creating a more Sustainable Ecosystem in our Urban Environment’ Design Exchange Magazine. Available at: https://www.demagazine.co.uk/author/jessie-buckle/  (Accessed: 6th November 2024).

Funding

  • Bartlett Promise Scholarship

More information

Image: MRI Study 1/5, Pinnacle Imaging Centre, Andheri East, CritiCare Asia, Mumbai. Credit: Jessie Buckle