People who are neurodivergent could benefit from a new device created by a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) undergraduate which uses psychology to help them complete day to day tasks.

Lia Kamenova, 22, created the ‘Buddy Double’ to help people, like her, who struggle with procrastination and executive dysfunction.

She was inspired by her own experiences and those of her partner, Matthew Wroe, 22, who is autistic, and spotted a gap in the market for young neurodivergent adults.

Her design aims to replicate the supportive effects of body doubling – a strategy widely recognised within the neurodiverse community as one that aids task initiation, enhances focus, and reduces overwhelm.

This approach is particularly helpful for individuals with executive functioning challenges, such as autistic people and those with ADHD.

Research shows that people with ADHD  may experience challenges with self-regulation when working alone. The presence of another person (a ‘body double’) can offer a sense of shared focus, accountability, and external structure, which can support task engagement.

“My partner and many of my immediate circle of friends are neurodivergent – we all struggle with executive dysfunction, although in different ways,”  said Lia, originally from Plovdiv in Bulgaria, who is studying BA Product Design in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.

“Many people find everyday tasks unexpectedly difficult – especially when managing executive functioning challenges, where even the simple routines can feel overwhelming.

“You don’t have to be neurodivergent to struggle with this – anyone can find care tasks overwhelming, especially during times of stress and exhaustion. It’s completely valid to struggle – and that’s exactly where Buddy can help.

“I wanted to create something that makes everyday tasks feel lighter, eases the pressure and brings friendliness through playfulness. For me, this project is about showing how play can make daily life feel more doable and joyful.”

The Buddy Double is a  palm-sized, friendly digital companion. Its design draws on Gen Z’s affection for technology, nostalgia, and all things cute – echoing the charm of iconic toys such as the Furby and Tamagotchi.

A flexible stem on top of its head wags back and forth in response to voice-activated commands, mimicking a dog’s tail to create a sense of warmth and encouragement.

It can be programmed with a user’s daily care tasks and can provide reminders through visual and auditory cues such as movement and beeping. When it’s time to complete a task, it grabs the user’s attention by wagging its stem and making a small noise after which it displays an animation relevant to the activity, such as a ‘thirsty face’ when it’s time to drink water.

Once a task is completed, the user can track their progress via the accompanying app,  unlocking digital rewards called ‘Buddy Bucks’ which they can exchange in-app to customise their Buddy Double’s facial features.

The aim is to incentivize people to use the physical device rather than just the app, encouraging engagement without relying on a smartphone.

“We use our phones for everything – organising, connecting, even coping – but constant engagement can be exhausting. Buddy Double offers a playful way to stay on track without screens, gently easing phone dependence and encouraging more mindful, less overwhelming daily routines.”

The device connects to smart devices via Bluetooth and responds to its name, which can be set by the user.

Made with a hard acrylic outer casing and a soft silicone stem, it is designed to be customizable and users can personalise their Buddy Double with interchangeable stems and fabric costumes to truly make it their own.

The device features three task modes suited to different needs:

• Finite Tasking: For short, fixed-time tasks like brushing teeth, which are checked off automatically in the app – this can help users with working memory difficulties remember their routine or completed tasks
• Timed Tasking: Ideal for users who struggle with time blindness, it provides a visual countdown using its moving stem
• Infinite Tasking: For open-ended activities such as washing dishes, users verbally start and end tasks with ‘Buddy’, let’s wash dishes together’ and ‘Okay Buddy, all done.’ This mode allows users to task for as long as they can, which can improve motivation by letting the user tap out of the task when needed, not necessitating completion.

Lia’s design is set to go on show for the 2025 NTU Student Showcase, which is one of the largest displays of graduating art and design talent in the UK.

Max Pownall, course leader of BA Product Design at NTU, said: “Lia has taken her personal experiences used them to create a product which could benefit thousands of people who are neurodivergent.

“She has created a unique product which harnesses the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy to help improve people’s lives by empowering them to overcome low motivation and enhance their productivity.”

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University are involved in a study to develop a new type of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition affecting over five million people worldwide.

Together with University of Nottingham and University College London they received £1.3 million from the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Current IBD therapies often fail to fully relieve symptoms for many patients, especially those also suffering from serious gut infections like Clostridioides difficile, which can worsen inflammation and lead to more severe outcomes.

The team is harnessing the power of microRNAs—tiny molecules that help regulate the immune system—by packaging them into microscopic particles called nanoparticles.

These are designed to deliver treatment directly to damaged parts of the gut, reducing inflammation and protecting cells. Early results in lab models have been very promising, showing targeted action with no signs of harm.

Now entering a critical development stage, the project brings together a cross-disciplinary team of experts from leading UK institutions.

These include Dr Christos Polytarchou, Dr Maria Hatziapostolou, Dr Sarah Kuehne and Professor Lesley Hoyles at NTU, Dr Tanya Monaghan, Professor Cameron Alexander and Dr David Scurr at the University of Nottingham, Dr Pratik Gurnani at University College London, Professor Roisin Owens at the University of Cambridge, Dr Anna Seekatz at Clemson University, USA.

The team will refine and test these therapies in cutting-edge systems that mimic the human gut, while also exploring the potential to treat other conditions, such as inflammatory conditions of the gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative diseases.

If successful, this groundbreaking technology could lead to a new generation of personalised treatments, offering real hope to IBD patients who do not respond to current therapies.

Dr Tanya Monaghan, Associate Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, and project lead, said: “We urgently need more targeted and effective treatments for people living with inflammatory bowel disease and more severe forms of C. difficile infection.

“This project takes us a step closer to personalised therapies that can not only reduce inflammation but also help repair and protect the gut. I’m excited about the potential impact this could have for patients who currently have limited options.”

Dr Christos Polytarchou, Associate Professor in Health and Disease in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Science and Technology, said: “This collaboration brings together world-class expertise to push the boundaries of RNA-based therapies.

“Our goal is to develop precision nanomedicines that not only treat inflammation more effectively, but also address the underlying molecular drivers of disease. It’s a unique opportunity to translate pioneering science into real clinical solutions.”

Katie with a model posing in one of her skirts

Rewriting the rules for menswear – new wearable skirts for men

Fashion student Katie Cooper is turning menswear on its head with a collection of wearable skirts which challenge gender norms.

Inspired by historical fashion, the 21-year-old created a range of clothes which would pave the way for men to once again feel comfortable wearing skirts.

“Originally, skirts were made for men – many powerful figures were seen wearing them in Ancient Egypt and all the way up to the Renaissance,” said Katie, who is studying BA Fashion Design in the Nottingham School of Art & Design.

“But over time, fashion changed and masculinity was channelled through the tailored suit, and now men distance themselves from anything that could be seen as feminine.

“So I wanted to offer a small step forward and show men that skirts can be strong, wearable, and part of everyday fashion again.”

Katie’s catwalk collection blends historical references with modern craftsmanship.

Pleats are hand-sewn, drawing inspiration from the classic kilt, and silhouettes are designed to challenge perception without sacrificing practicality.

Her catwalk collection includes three outfits which comprise skirts, baggy shorts with a skirt silhouette, or trousers which resemble long skirts:

– Look One: A long, kilt-inspired skirt made from deadstock Harris Tweed – mimicking traditional tartan. It is paired with a deconstructed pinstripe suit jacket, missing one sleeve and asymmetrical in cut, designed to question traditional notions of masculinity and power

– Look Two: Oversized, baggy trousers with side pleats – giving the silhouette a skirt-like appearance. Paired with a shirt inspired by 19th-century pilgrim collars (a feminine detail at the time) and a detachable hood, the outfit blends streetwear with historical nuance

– Look Three: Pleated jorts – baggy denim or tweed shorts that visually echo the silhouette of a skirt

Katie interviewed men from different backgrounds and found that many heterosexual men expressed they would “never wear a skirt” due to social stigma, while LGBTQ+ participants were more open to the idea.

“It was fascinating to see how deeply these gender rules are ingrained,” she said. “So my garments are aimed at younger men, especially in bigger cities, who seem more open to experimenting and pushing those boundaries.

“I don’t want my designs to be extravagant for the sake of it. They’re made to be worn, cherished, and lived in – pieces that stay in your wardrobe for years, not just for one statement moment.”

Katie’s designs are on public exhibition for the 2025 NTU Graduate Festival. The show is one of the largest exhibitions of graduating art and design talent in the UK.

Emma Prince, course leader for BA Fashion Design at NTU, said: “Katie’s designs show how fashion can challenge societal norms while remaining completely wearable and gender appropriate.

“Her collection is bold and well-crafted, showing a strong understanding of historical context, sustainable practice and innovative approaches to menswear.”

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art and Design will open its doors to the public for its popular annual Community Day on Sunday 15 June 2025

A range of activities will be available, giving the public the chance to try out skills taught at the School. Highlights include an animation workshop, neurographic art classes – which combine creativity and psychology to support stress reduction and wellbeing – and postcard printing sessions.

The Community Day is open from 12pm to 4pm at Cardiff Met’s Llandaff campus, with free workshops running until 3.30pm. There is no requirement to book in advance.

Activities are suitable for anyone over the age of eight , and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The free workshops available include:

• Stop motion animation workshop: Get an introduction to Dragon Frame stop-motion software and the animation principles of timing and movement using everything from Lego, plasticine and found objects to create animation.
• Neurographic art: A meditative practice combining creativity and psychology to reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing.
• Cosmic watercolour animals: A fun and relaxed workshop creating a vibrant cosmic animal using wet-in-wet watercolour washes.
• Screen printing postcards: Visit the print studio and experience screen printing a postcard sized image that you can keep as a memento.
• Fabric, heat transfer press workshop: Using paper cut outs see fabric come to life on a product, before taking a one-of-a-kind swatch away.
• Exploring your facial expressions: Using emotional state software, this activity will show how expressions are used to understand consumer behaviour, user experience and social interaction.
• PEL’s immersive research: Ever wondered how your eyes reveal your decision-making? Try on a pair of eye-tracking glasses which will help uncover how you process information and make choices.
• Riso poster printing: Have a go at making a two colour, A3 riso poster. Cardiff Met tutors show the process of risograph printmaking and get the chance to make a quick drawing or collage.

Screenings will also air from the School’s photography studio all day, so the public can watch a screening of original animations, videos and multimedia artworks from the University’s graduating art and design cohort.

Dr Bethan Gordon, Dean of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art and Design, said: “Our annual Community Day is a great opportunity to welcome the University’s neighbours and wider community to take part in a range of activities, get creative and even learn a new skill using some of our fantastic facilities.

“Part of the Cardiff School of Art and Design Summer Show, those attending the community day will also get the chance to see some of the exceptional work produced by our students.”

Students will also be showcasing their work within the Cardiff School of Art and Design Summer Show between Friday 13 June – Friday 20 June 2024. It is free to visit, and the general public are welcome to attend during the following opening hours:

• Weekdays: 10am – 6pm
• Weekends: 12pm – 4pm

Tours of the School’s facilities will also run throughout the day – giving attendees a glimpse behind the scenes at how students produce their work and a walk through the Summer Show exhibition to view the finished products.

More information on the Cardiff School of Art & Design Degree Show 2025 is available on Cardiff Met’s webpage.

Wheelchair users will be able to ride horses with increased comfort and a sense of belonging thanks to pioneering designs by a fashion student who was inspired by the experience of a family friend.

Daisy Brace, 21, wanted to make equestrian wear more inclusive after her mother’s friend felt disconnected from her love of horse riding after an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Although horse riding for her mother’s friend remained possible, Daisy wanted to help her regain a sense of belonging to the horse riding community, so she created an equestrian wear outfit which is designed to accommodate a wheelchair user’s needs.

“Her love of horses never went away,” said Daisy, from Moorhouse, Nottinghamshire, who is a lifelong horse rider herself and an undergraduate student at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

“Even after her injury, she wanted to continue riding and I realised there was very little on the market that was both functional and fashionable for people in her situation – especially when it came to equestrian clothing. I wanted to change that.”

Daisy dedicated her final year fashion design project to the cause and undertook research into adaptive clothing and incorporated the lived experiences of her mother’s friend.

Her designs include:

• A lightweight Harris Tweed double-breasted jacket which has back and forearm panels that are quilted with upcycled saddle cloth wool to provide comfort and support in a seated position. The design incorporates an arched back to reduce bulk when sitting in a wheelchair, and has magnetic fastenings and a ribbon tie on the inside for ease of use
• A breathable pure cotton shirt has a specially lowered neckline, which reduces fabric bulking up when seated. It features open arm seams to assist wearers with limited mobility, and an adjustable gathered waist to accommodate body changes over time
• A multifunctional bag designed to attach to various parts of a wheelchair, provides practical storage solutions for essentials like keys, gloves, and phones without adding bulk to pockets

Daisy, who is studying in the Nottingham School of Art & Design, said: “My mum’s friend has been incredibly encouraging and gave me honest advice that I couldn’t have found online.

“From understanding how uncomfortable wheelchairs can be over long periods, to why accessible fashion often lacks personality – these are the things that guided my work.”

While saddles and other riding equipment for para-athletes are often adapted, Daisy saw a gap in the market for contemporary heritage riding wear that supports both physical needs and emotional wellbeing.

“There’s a limit to what’s out there – everything feels purely functional,” she said. “After an injury, you’re not only adapting physically but also redefining your identity. I wanted to bring personality and positivity back into clothing for disabled riders.

“Clothes should help people feel part of a community. For horse riders, it’s more than a hobby – it’s a way of life. Your disability shouldn’t define you, and your clothes shouldn’t limit you.”

Daisy’s designs are on public display for the 2025 Graduate Festival. The show – which takes place at the University’s City Campus – is one of the largest displays of graduating art and design talent in the country.

Krystyna Kolowska, senior lecturer in Fashion Design at NTU, said: “Daisy has spotted a gap in the market for wheelchair users who have a love of horse riding but are let down by a lack of inclusive designs that are made available to them.

“Her designs are very thoughtful and take into consideration the functional and emotional needs of people who, like anyone else, require clothing which allows them to pursue their interests whilst allowing them to feel good.”

A new clinical study from Cardiff Metropolitan University – in collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) – has highlighted new biomedical insights into long-COVID and could take existing studies one step closer to finding treatment for patients living with the condition.

Long COVID is a new condition which can affect people who have previously had the COVID-19 virus. Symptoms can include heart disease, muscle and joint pain, extreme tiredness, coughing, shortness of breath and memory difficulties.

The ‘Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-COVID symptoms and IL-6 signaling-related factors’ clinical study from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB included DNA and blood samples taken from 175 participants who had previously had the COVID-19 infection. The bloods taken measured levels of two proteins, ‘Interleukin-6 (IL-6)’ and ‘Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R)’, while the DNA sample was used to detect which variant of IL-6R gene, known as ‘IL-6R genotype’, was present.

IL-6 and IL-6R are made by the immune system to fight infection. IL-6R is the receptor that IL-6 attaches to – like a key fitting into a lock. This connection allows IL-6 to send signals that trigger an immune response.

Craig Greenstock, 63, from Pontypridd took part in the study and was first admitted to hospital in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic after being diagnosed with COVID Pneumonitis. He was previously fit and healthy.

Craig went on to spend the next nine weeks in hospital, initially placed on a ventilator within the intensive care unit at CTM UHB before being moved to various wards.

He has since been diagnosed with long COVID and suffers with bouts of fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, PTSD, night terrors and is being treated with three daily pumps for asthma related symptoms. A nodule was also discovered on Craig’s lung following the infection.

Craig said: “I can safely say that when I was first admitted to hospital and what then developed was the scariest time of my life, both physically and mentally.

“I was extremely unwell for some time, with my family being given 24 hours for my condition to improve. My symptoms following the virus have been so significant it has resulted in me having to retire from work.”

Participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire sharing their current long COVID symptoms at different times throughout the year to see if the change in seasons affected the condition, and to help get an accurate diagnosis.

The purpose of the study – which was funded through The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Collaborative Research Fund – was to better understand how these IL-6-related factors contribute to the risk of long COVID and possibly initiate future strategies for using them as biomarkers predictive of risk.

The results from the participants tested highlighted that long COVID sufferers had elevated levels of IL-6 compared to those who had regained full health. The results also showed the risk of getting long COVID appeared to be increased in patients with a particular type of IL-6R genotype, known as the ‘AA’ genotype.

Dr Richard Webb, a Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in the Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Innovation and Development (CURIAD) at Cardiff Metropolitan University is leading on the study. He said: “While interpretation is complicated by seasonal variations, the findings from the study point towards possible future use of IL-6 and IL-6R genotype as biomarkers predictive of long COVID risk, which may bring advantages regarding the management and treatment of the illness.”

Dr Ceri Lynch is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine and Critical Care Research Lead at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has worked alongside Cardiff Met on the long COVID symptoms study.

Dr Lynch said: “This collaborative research between Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff Metropolitan University has shown some interesting and exciting findings with regard to the risk factors for developing long Covid. We would like to continue this work, with the ultimate aim of identifying an effective drug treatment for the condition.”

Craig added: “I was very fortunate to have a positive attitude to life and fairly healthy, so strong enough, physically and mentally, to be able to fight the virus and ongoing recovery.

“I would be prepared to try any medicine that could improve my standard of life back to anywhere near where it was before I fell ill.”

The team of researchers from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB will now look at how the findings from this study can be integrated into and support The Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) – which includes leading researchers and clinicians from across the UK working together to understand and improve long-term health outcomes for patients who have been in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

The full clinical study is published in ScienceDirect: ‘Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-COVID symptoms and IL-6 signalling-related factors (particularly the rs2228145 variant of the IL-6R gene)’

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art and Design will open its doors to the public for its popular annual Community Day on Sunday 15 June 2025.

A range of activities will be available, giving the public the chance to try out skills taught at the School. Highlights include an animation workshop, neurographic art classes – which combine creativity and psychology to support stress reduction and wellbeing – and postcard printing sessions.

The Community Day is open from 12pm to 4pm at Cardiff Met’s Llandaff campus, with free workshops running until 3.30pm. There is no requirement to book in advance.

Activities are suitable for anyone over the age of eight , and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The free workshops available include:

• Stop motion animation workshop: Get an introduction to Dragon Frame stop-motion software and the animation principles of timing and movement using everything from Lego, plasticine and found objects to create animation.
• Neurographic art: A meditative practice combining creativity and psychology to reduce stress and support emotional wellbeing.
• Cosmic watercolour animals: A fun and relaxed workshop creating a vibrant cosmic animal using wet-in-wet watercolour washes.
• Screen printing postcards: Visit the print studio and experience screen printing a postcard sized image that you can keep as a memento.
• Fabric, heat transfer press workshop: Using paper cut outs see fabric come to life on a product, before taking a one-of-a-kind swatch away.
• Exploring your facial expressions: Using emotional state software, this activity will show how expressions are used to understand consumer behaviour, user experience and social interaction.
• PEL’s immersive research: Ever wondered how your eyes reveal your decision-making? Try on a pair of eye-tracking glasses which will help uncover how you process information and make choices.
• Riso poster printing: Have a go at making a two colour, A3 riso poster. Cardiff Met tutors show the process of risograph printmaking and get the chance to make a quick drawing or collage.

Screenings will also air from the School’s photography studio all day, so the public can watch a screening of original animations, videos and multimedia artworks from the University’s graduating art and design cohort.

Dr Bethan Gordon, Dean of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s School of Art and Design, said: “Our annual Community Day is a great opportunity to welcome the University’s neighbours and wider community to take part in a range of activities, get creative and even learn a new skill using some of our fantastic facilities.

“Part of the Cardiff School of Art and Design Summer Show, those attending the community day will also get the chance to see some of the exceptional work produced by our students.”

Students will also be showcasing their work within the Cardiff School of Art and Design Summer Show between Friday 13 June – Friday 20 June 2024. It is free to visit, and the general public are welcome to attend during the following opening hours:

• Weekdays: 10am – 6pm
• Weekends: 12pm – 4pm

Tours of the School’s facilities will also run throughout the day – giving attendees a glimpse behind the scenes at how students produce their work and a walk through the Summer Show exhibition to view the finished products.

More information on the Cardiff School of Art & Design Degree Show 2025 is available on Cardiff Met’s webpage.

Student creates life-size puppet of herself show what it’s like to have Tourette’s

Art student Cerys Sleith created a life-size puppet of herself to show people what it’s like to have Tourette’s syndrome.

The 22-year-old, who is studying BA Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), wanted people to understand that tics feel like ‘someone else is in control’.

Cerys, who first developed the condition aged 17, hopes to challenge misconceptions about Tourette’s syndrome and make people realise that it’s not just about involuntary swearing.

“In many ways, having Tourette’s can make you feel you’re a puppet. It feels as though someone else is controlling you, and other people can unfortunately laugh,” said Cerys, from Llannerch-y-Medd in Anglesey, Wales.

“Puppets are used for comedy and I wanted to create something interactive and give other people control of me, as a way to communicate how this condition works.

“The involuntary movements make it feel like someone else is pulling at you, and this puppet will hopefully allow others to develop a better appreciation of that loss of control.

“By inviting people interact with this puppet, I hope they may realise that people with Tourette’s can’t control it.”

Cerys’s work is on public display for the 2025 NTU Graduate Showcase, which is one of the largest displays of graduating art and design talent in the UK.

Student creates life-size puppet of herself show what it’s like to have Tourette’s | Nottingham Trent University

Visitors will be able to interact with the puppet through a rope and pulley system which moves the arms, while an elastic rope system allows the mouth to move.

Small musical instruments which make a sound with movement are embedded inside the arms, legs and jaw to add a comic element.

“When I first developed Tourette’s it was sudden and quite severe,” said Cerys, who studies in the Nottingham School of Art & Design.

“I couldn’t stop moving, I couldn’t eat and was a danger to myself. No one knows what caused it and it’s quite uncommon to develop it in your late teens.

“I was just watching television with a friend and my arm started to twitch. A few days later my mum took me to the doctors and then she said it could be epilepsy, Tourette’s or a brain tumour.

“You have to be continuously ticking vocally for a year until they decide you have it, but only a minority of people experience involuntary swearing.

“My vocal tics were mainly a clicking of the tongue, whistling and saying short bizarre sentences, but because my Tourette’s has calmed down now it’s hardly noticeable. It’s mainly facial tics that I get.

“Many people don’t realise though that people with Tourette’s syndrome may also have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or learning difficulties, so I wanted to raise awareness of that too.”

Cerys’s puppet has been crafted from an array of materials. The head is made from silicone and is a cast of Cerys’s own head, so that its face looks just like hers.

The puppet has latex hands and feet and the body – also a cast of Cerys – is stuffed with recycled newspapers, tape, scrap paper and scrap fabric.

The joints are made from offcut fabrics to provide mobility, with wooden blocks and zinc hooks serving as bones and joints to allow for fluid movements.

The puppet contains clackers embedded in the mouth and groan tubes are in the arms.

A video projection displays Cerys’s own eyes onto the puppet’s face to convey the emotions and exhaustion that often accompany the condition.

Fine Art senior lecturer Lisa Selby, of the Nottingham School of Art & Design, said: “Cerys is making a public statement through her art to challenge misconceptions and attitudes towards Tourette’s.

“By interacting with the work, gallery visitors can gain an insight into how people with the condition may feel, which will hopefully allow them to develop a better awareness.”

A fine art student used her own skin to create a public installation to raise awareness of the skin condition ichthyosis.

Abigail Hutchinson-Dodd spent 12 months collecting flakes of her own skin and stored them in a jar to help create Are you contagious? for the 2025 at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Graduate Festival.

The 21-year-old, who has had ichthyosis since birth which covers all of her skin, wanted more people to be aware of the condition and how it can affect an individual.

Using a vacuum, she collected flakes from her home and student accommodation and used a sieve to obtain the smallest pieces.

“It’s such an unheard of condition that even a doctor I went to once had never heard of it and was adamantly saying it was something else,” said Abigail, who is studying BA Fine Art in the Nottingham School of Art & Design.

“It has affected me. At school people weren’t very nice and would ask if they could catch it.

“I can’t sit in the sun too long. I struggle to cool down and don’t sweat much. I used to bleach my hair to remove layers of skin from my scalp for relief.

“It’s not just an average skin condition. Some people with it can even have blindness as their eyelids are so affected.

“So I wanted to incorporate it into my art to communicate the feeling of how it can affect people.”

Abigail’s installation centres on a pathogen-shaped sphere that is made from a transparent resin which features small stumps to represent spike proteins.

The pathogen is cast from a mould and the centre remains hollow so that the flakes of skin can be placed inside and seen by the viewer, resembling a dark patch.

The pathogen is hung from the ceiling over a small hospital linoleum flooring which is covered by a glass frame, with five clay emollient cream bottles on top.

Petroleum jelly coats various areas and the space is illuminated by green lights.

“My work speaks a lot to genetic mutation and a feeling of anxiety. A pathogen is invisible and provokes a fear of hygiene,” said Abigail. “And because of my skin, I am more likely to get infections as the epidermis is broken.

“When I first used skin in my art some people thought it was quite repulsive.  But now people know what I do, they think it’s really interesting.”

Abigail’s work is on show for the 2025 Graduate Showcase, which see hundreds of art and design students putting their work on public display at NTU’s City Campus.

Fine Art senior lecturer Lisa Selby said: “Abi has shown how the choice of materials in art can make a significant difference to its meaning and can enhance the experience of the viewing public.

“Her installation communicates a strong but subtle message about ichthyosis and enables the viewer to develop a greater appreciation of the condition.”

Crucial habitats in many UK estuaries are at high risk of being squeezed out, potentially disappearing entirely in the face of climate change and human development, a new study has revealed.

Environmental scientists at Nottingham Trent University have identified exactly where coastal waters meet freshwater rivers, unlocking insights into one of the most overlooked and at-risk aquatic habitats.

Using more than 76,000 salinity measurements, the team has identified and mapped tidal freshwater and low salinity zones at the top of all 85 estuaries across mainland England and Wales.

Estuaries are bodies of water, found on the coast where the river meets the sea, with water becoming less salty as it moves inland from the estuary mouth to the river.

These transitional waters serve as essential habitats and corridors, transporting nutrients, energy and species between land and sea and are considered to be one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet.

According to the researchers, however, many are now in serious trouble due to climate change and human development.

The study revealed that nearly 70% of estuaries in England and Wales are blocked by man-made barriers, such as weirs or sluices, at their tidal limits – the point where the estuary meets the river.

Nineteen estuaries identified as being at ‘high risk’

These barriers – combined with rising sea levels and dwindling summer river flows – are slowly squeezing the important tidal freshwater and low salinity zones at the top of the estuaries from both ends.

As part of the study, 19 estuaries were identified as being at ‘high risk’ from this phenomenon – which the researchers have termed ‘estuarine squeeze’.

Worryingly, the researchers argue, these 19 estuaries hold nearly two-thirds of all the tidal freshwater and low salinity waters in England and Wales.

Estuaries in southern England such as the Medway, Exe and Ouse were most at risk of their tidal freshwater and low salinity zones being lost, the study revealed.

Historically, tidal freshwater marshes – lush, flood tolerant wetlands – lined the top of many of the UK’s estuaries, providing crucial habitats for birds, fish and other wildlife, but centuries of drainage for agriculture and development have all but erased them.

Opportunity to recreate freshwater marshes

The researchers suggest that this issue presents a unique opportunity to recreate these marshes in the right estuaries – helping to combat estuarine squeeze while also helping to improve water quality and build resilience against climate change.

In recent years UK sea levels have risen by 3-5.2mm per year and the UK coastline is projected to experience a relative sea level rise of up to 1.15m by 2100.

Estuaries are home to many different plants and animals, including some which are found nowhere else. They are a breeding place for a range of important species, act as a passage for migrating species which are under threat and support large numbers of wading birds.

They also store carbon, offer protection from storms and help improve water quality by filtering nutrients, contaminants and sediment from the land before they enter the sea.

Despite their importance, very little was known about the distribution of tidal freshwater and low salinity zones at the very top of estuaries, or the extent to which were constrained by man-made barriers.

“Tidal freshwater and low salinity zones at the top of our estuaries are crucial.” Said researcher Dr Sally Little, an estuarine ecologist in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

She said: “They are home to many different plants and animals, are productive, help store carbon, cycle nutrients and improve water quality. They are also critical habitat and corridors for migratory fish moving between river and sea.

“Many of these zones are being squeezed due to climate change and development, and we now risk losing some of them completely.

“Our study underscores the urgent need for monitoring and management, but it also presents a unique opportunity to compensate for their loss through the creation of tidal freshwater marshes.

“Recreating tidal freshwater marshes would not only combat estuarine squeeze, but also help meet biodiversity goals, improve water quality, and build resilience against climate change.”

Many of these zones are being squeezed due to climate change and development, and we now risk losing some of them completely

Dr Sally Little