DrClara Usma-Mansfield

Clara Usma-Mansfield, B.Eng, PhD, FHEA is a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Design with expertise spanning sports engineering, engineering design and product design and development. Her research focuses on the application of user-centred design, design and systems thinking, and product development methodologies to create innovative, high-performing, and sustainable engineering solutions. She has a particular interest in sports technologies and equipment design, exploring how engineering and design can enhance athlete performance, user experience, and product functionality.

Clara holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) in Product Design Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sports Design Enginering, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her academic background combines engineering rigor with a strong design perspective, underpinning her research and teaching in product innovation, human-centred design, and engineering design practice. Through her work, she seeks to bridge technical expertise and creative problem-solving to address complex challenges across sport, consumer products, and broader engineering applications.