Our Founders
AEJAZ ZAHID | Co-founder of Hackcessible
Designer, engineer and assistive technology specialist. Aejaz is a research and innovation fellow working between the NHS and The University of Sheffield. For almost twenty years, he has worked directly with hundreds of individuals with wide ranging disability challenges both in the UK and abroad and his teams have won numerous awards for innovation the world over. He has helped almost two dozen assistive products go to market and supported a number of startups to emerge and scale up successfully.
PETER MYLON | Co-founder of Hackcessible
Peter is a University Teacher in Multidisciplinary Engineering Education. He teaches design, manufacturing and CAD and has experience in mechanical engineering consultancy, medical device design and research, particularly in manual dexterity, finger friction and optometry. He is also one of the founding members of the iForge at the University of Sheffield which is the first student-led makerspace.
BECKY WOOD | Freelance Digital Media Producer
Becky is a freelance digital media producer, currently studying at Sheffield Hallam University. She was integral to the success of the inaugural Hackcessible challenge, both photographing and filming the participants and challenges at all events.
Her portfolio can be found on: www.rwoodmedia.com
Our Committee
Publicity and Communications
Partnerships, Funding and Sponsorships
GEORGE NIGHTINGALE | RDD Intern at Dyson
George is an aerospace engineering student at The University of Sheffield, currently on his placement year at Dyson Technology Ltd followed by Williams F1. He has a keen interest in the future of the automotive industry and enjoys playing guitar.
KRITHIGA RAVICHANDRAN | The University Of Sheffield
Krithiga is an Electronics and Communication Engineering student at TUOS. She has a keen interest in exploring the intersection between healthcare, design, and technology. For fun, Krithiga studies philosophy and also enjoys simple sketching.
Operations and Logistics
DENNIS PREMOLI | The University Of Sheffield
Dennis is an Italian materials science and engineering student at The University of Sheffield with a passion for aerospace and computer technology. He is also part of the university’s manufacturing tea for the Shell Eco-Marathon competition.
JOANNA JONES | The University Of Sheffield
Joanna is an Automatic Control and Systems graduate from The University of Sheffield. She is currently doing a PhD in soft robotics. Joanna is very enthusiastic about STEM outreach and scouting.
Our Mentors
Kamal Birdi
Kamal is a Senior Lecturer and a Chartered Occupational Psychologist. He has been researching learning and creativity in organisations for over 25 years and thousands of people have now been trained in using his CLEAR IDEAS innovation development method.
Sarah Boyd
Product designer and engineer who has worked at the likes of IDEO. She has a strong interest in the use of makerspaces as a vehicle for developing tech for good as well as educating people on sustainable product design.
Richard Caley
Richard is a clinical scientist & engineer specialising in assistive & rehabilitation technology. He has over two decades of health service experience directly supporting individuals with wide ranging disabilities through the provision of enabling technologies.
Dana Damian
Lecturer in Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, specialising in hand prostheses and wearables for assistive technology, robotic implants etc. Her research resides at the intersection between soft robotics, embodied artificial intelligence and bioengineering.
Michael Howarth
Michael is the chief mechanical technologist at the Barnsley Assistive Technology Team. He has many, many years of experience building bespoke devices for people with a variety of disabilities. An expert in using traditional machine shop tools.
Valdis Krūmiņš
Product design engineer based at AMRC with expertise in mechanical prototyping / mock up building skills and a creative mindset for finding quick solutions for prototyping.
Eduardo Perez-Guagnelli
Eduardo is a researcher, product designer and human factors specialist, expert in Inclusive/Universal design theory and User Experience. He has worked as supervisor of healthcare related projects, particularly in regard to the rehabilitation of people with motor disabilities. Currently, he is conducting research into the design of long-term robotic implants for tissue regeneration as member of the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Lab.
Andrew Stratton
Senior University Teacher in the Department of Computer Science working for the Institute of Coding with 12+ years industry experience in many roles, including Senior Java Developer, Team Leader, Technical Architect and Project manager at companies including IBM, Barclaycard, Asda and BT. Andrew’s research is focused around the Quando toolset, which offers Visual End User Development and rapid prototyping for non programmers
Jen Rowson
Mechanical engineering lecturer specialising in human to environment interaction, computer simulation, inclusive design, and ageing and its influence on design.
Charlie Danger
Highly experienced assistive technology specialist who combines in-depth technical knowledge with clinical skills as an occupational therapist.