John Clarkson
In the spring of 2023, John Clarkson was appointed as part-time professor of Healthcare Systems at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. In addition to his appointment as professor at the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, he is establishing a research group in Delft. Besides being a Professor of Engineering Design, he is also the Director of the Cambridge Engineering Design Centre and Co-Director of Cambridge Public Health.
Clarkson is widely regarded as a leading scientist in the field of healthcare systems design, inclusive design and change management (improving improvements). Among other roles, he chaired the engineering panel of the UK Research Effectiveness Framework and is closely involved with the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Cambridge University Hospitals. For his work, he has received various doctorates and fellowships (KU Leuven, Brunel University London, UK Royal Academy of Engineering; Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and King’s Birthday Honours).
Clarkson is the founder of Engineering Better Care, a systems approach developed in collaboration with the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal College of Physicians, and the Academy of Medical Sciences. In his work at TU Delft, he is building on this approach.
About the research
Managing and improving complex health and care systems requires a human-centred systems approach, which clarifies the shape and nature of the system. This provides actionable insights to healthcare providers, allowing them to translate user needs into potential solutions for possible underlying problems. This is where Clarkson's contribution is crucial. His systems approach is based on a series of key questions, focusing on people, design, systems, and risks. In addition to several publications, this has led to a practical toolkit for improving improvement, incorporating tools from systems engineering, systems thinking, and improvement science. With the toolkit, revised in 2024, all relevant elements of a complex system, and their interfaces, can be reconsidered to stimulate transformation. The toolkit has already been used to map discharge processes (of patients) in hospitals, design better palliative care processes, and various processes for the British government.
Building a research group
In 2024, a PhD was hired in Delft to further develop the Improving Improvement Toolkit (for designer-led projects). In due course, a postdoc will be hired as well. Despite Clarkson’s limited physical presence in Delft, he teaches guest lectures to students and alumni. A joint research programme will also be established to develop a new generation of human-centred systems approaches. All of this, of course, in close collaboration with other parts of the Delft ecosystem, such as the Convergence Health and Technology Programme at TU Delft, Erasmus MC and Erasmus University. ‘In addition, I also want to promote collaboration between TU Delft and Cambridge,’ says Clarkson. ‘Dr. Valeria Pannunzia has just spent a year in Cambridge, before accepting a position in Delft; dr. Coco Newton is visiting researcher in Delft and two PhD researchers have already spent extended periods with my team in Cambridge.’ Researchers from Delft are now regular online attenders at research seminars in Cambridge.
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Fundraising
After previously receiving an Engineering Design Centre grant (1997) and a ten-year Integrated Manufacturing Research Centre grant (2001) from UK Research and Innovation, Clarkson has built an impressive track record in fundraising. He has already generated more than €30 million in income, from sources including the EU, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and various companies. In Delft, he will support and guide early-career researchers in their funding applications and contribute to grant proposals for external funding.
For affordable healthcare
Global healthcare is under pressure, partly due to post-corona backlogs, an aging population, and an increase in chronic diseases. Add to that the high costs and shortage of medical personnel. The need for disruptive changes in healthcare systems is widely recognised, from the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health to healthcare workers and patient groups. However, such changes require a joint effort from diverse scientific disciplines, with a key role for (system) design. New design tools need to be developed and implemented to achieve fair, ethical, and sustainable outcomes. Clarkson and his team in Cambridge and TU Delft are at the forefront of research into healthcare systems. By collaborating, we can further strengthen our position in this important new area of societally relevant research. Ultimately, this research can lead to better patient outcomes, increased efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare, and lower costs.
Clarkson’s Personal Passion Pride
‘I want to build a bridge between the envisioned care paths of a hospital and the personal journey experienced by patients. Here in Delft, students have a very good design vision. My ambition is to teach them to think even more in systems, and I would like to guide them in that. Because like any other scientist, I want to make a difference, to leave something behind. And that mainly lies in passing on knowledge to the next generation.’
‘TU Delft is the perfect place for impact’
TU Delft is one of the leading European universities because of its advanced research in industrial design, technology and healthcare. At the intersection of these three research areas, TU Delft aims to achieve a global position. Thanks to the investment of the TU Excellence Fund, Clarkson can build an excellent research group. Clarkson did not have to think long about the request. ‘Because of that position and ambition, I believe TU Delft is the perfect place to make impact on healthcare systems through design engineering. I am proud to be here!’ he states. ‘I also love the layout of the building here. Inspiring, open, and clean. It breathes activity and energy. It renews my focus. It’s a pleasure to be here.’
From Coca-Cola to painter’s brush
Every design decision can include or exclude people. ‘Inclusive design’ means being aware of the diversity amongst users in possibilities, needs and ambitions. Clarkson has been involved with the design of web shops from the start, to ensure an optimal shopping experience based on clear user questions. In collaboration with the Royal College of Art, he developed an inclusive design toolkit with practical tips and tricks. This led for example to successful new applications of wrapping design of Nestle, P&G and Coca-Cola, among others. But because Clarkson loves practicality, his inclusive designs also led to aids for elderly and disabled, such as drawing and painting materials.