Niamh Cusack

Biography

I am a PhD researcher working across the disciplines of fashion, engineering, and exercise science at Manchester Metropolitan University. My project, Enhancing Urban Safety Perceptions for Women: The Role of Smart Garments in City Navigation, investigates how wearable technologies can improve feelings of safety and situational awareness in urban environments for women. 

In collaboration with SENTI CARE, a Liverpool-based smart medical device company, my research integrates user-centred design with real-world application, ensuring that the prototype smart garment developed is functional, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of women navigating city spaces. The project combines technical innovation with social justice, contributing to wider debates on equality of safety and the role of technology in shaping more secure and equitable futures.

My training includes extensive methodological development through Manchester Metropolitan University PAHC courses, as well as specialist technical training in coding, hardware development, and the integration of smart components into textiles. This has been reinforced by hands-on skills in soldering and prototyping, enabling me to translate conceptual design into tangible, functional prototypes. My interdisciplinary approach ensures a balance between technological feasibility, design innovation, and user experience.

Framed by principles of inclusive design and future-facing fashion, my work aims not only to advance smart garment innovation but also to advocate for safer urban mobility through accessible and socially responsive technologies.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

PhD Researcher (Fashion, Engineering, and Exercise Science) – Manchester Metropolitan University (ongoing)
MA Art in Science (Distinction) – Liverpool John Moores University 
BA (Hons) Fashion Design and communication (First) – Liverpool John Moores University 
Certified Training in Coding and Hardware Development for Wearable Technologies
Practical Skills in Soldering, Prototyping, and Embedded Systems Integration

Research Output

Cusack, NM , Venkatraman, PD , Raza, U and Faisal, A (2024) Review—Smart Wearable Sensors for Health and Lifestyle Monitoring: Commercial and Emerging Solutions. ECS Sensors Plus, 3 (1). 017001 ISSN 2754-2726

Poster presentation: Enhancing Urban Safety Perceptions for Women: The Role of Smart Garments in City Navigation, TWIC Conference, 2025

Workshop coordination: Orchestrating Sustainability workshop, 2025.

Book chapter (in press): Intelligent Textiles for Healthcare Monitoring, 2025.

LUDeC Connections

My research contributes to the Leverhulme Unit’s vision by exploring how wearable technologies can shape the lived experience of cities. It aligns with the themes of urban equity, digital and material futures, and resilient, liveable cities. By addressing inequalities in perceptions of safety and developing garments that embed smart technologies within textiles, my work offers a tangible example of how innovation can support more inclusive and human-centred urban environments. The project highlights the importance of reimagining personal safety as a vital dimension of city design, ensuring that future urban spaces are not only technologically advanced but also socially equitable and responsive to diverse needs.

Contact Information
Niamh.cusack@stu.mmu.ac.uk