Catherine Holloway

Cathy is the Academic Director of Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and Interaction Design and innovation Professor at UCL’s Interactions Centre (UCLIC). Cathy contributed to the Global Report on Assistive Technology as an author via the Expert Advisory Panel and sits on the WHO Technical Advisory Group for Assistive Technology. Cathy has co-led GDI Hub to be the first WHO Collaborating Centre on Assistive Technology, with a project portfolio of over £40m across 41 countries, reaching over 28 million people globally. Within this, she has led innovation ecosystem development for assistive technology, including establishing Africa’s first assistive technology accelerator, developing an impact fund and supporting ventures to enter global markets. Cathy’s team at UCL also develops novel technologies for disabled people in the UK and globally. Cathy sits on the EPSRC SAT for Healthcare Technology and is the Programme Committee Chair in AI and Assistive Technologies for the UNESCHO Centre for Artificial Intelligence. Cathy has published over 190 papers in assistive technology and accessibility alongside a recent book, Disability Interactions – Creating Inclusive Innovations. Cathy was recently recognised as a leader in disability in the Shawe Trust Disability 100 List 2023: https://disabilitypower100.com/project/prof-dr-cathy-holloway/