Entrant:  Marsaili McGrath

Copyright:  2025 Marsaili McGrath

Funding:  UKRI (AHRC) Funded Project (Ref: AH/Y00373X/1)

Collaborators:  Paul Rodgers, Euan Winton, Lucy Welsh, Jonathan O’Reilly, Carole Anderson

NHS Scotland dispose of 800,000 single-use theatre caps every year - a staggering environmental cost. This ground-breaking research led by the University of Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt University is tackling this issue with plant-based reusable theatre caps co-designed with NHS Golden Jubilee staff. Made from cellulosic fibre, the innovative theatre caps are 100% sustainable and biodegradable, eliminating waste, enhancing patient safety, and staff identification - highlighting the power of design-led research.