Using Participatory Design in Defence
We were excited to welcome Dave McNeish for a talk on his experience applying Participatory Design in the defence sector.
Dave shared how a variety of human factors and user experience (UX) methods could be combined to actively involve users in the design process — and the benefits this brought. He also highlighted key takeaways for human factors practitioners looking to make their own design work more inclusive and effective.
A Chartered Human Factors Specialist at User Centric Design, Dave had over a decade of experience working where humans and technology meet — primarily in defence and government. His time at the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) saw him lead projects across land, air, and maritime domains, from anthropometric studies of armoured vehicles to aircraft UI design.
In recent years, Dave had focused on human-centred AI, helping the Ministry of Defence (MOD) navigate complex policy, legal, and ethical challenges. His work had taken him into some unexpected arenas, including the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, and even representing the UK MOD at the United Nations.
Watch the replay now!
