Dr Jennifer Rowson

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Lecturer

j.rowson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 7878

Pam Liversidge Building

Full contact details

Dr Jennifer Rowson
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Pam Liversidge Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD

Profile: Jennifer Rowson is a Lecturer in Design and Biomechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She has a first class degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield and a PhD in Packaging Simulation. Upon completion of her PhD, she held posts as a Research Associate and University Teaching Fellow in the Department. In 2011 she joined the Insigneo Institute for in silico medicine in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Research interests

Jen's research focuses on the biomechanics and understanding of upper limb performance, the definition of experimental and modelling techniques for the assessment of dexterity and hand manipulation. She has a special interest in inclusive design of objects and products for people as well as the efficacy of rehabilitation.

Projects carried out have developed tools, with motion capture and sensors that help to measure manipulation movements, as well as creating mathematical models to quantify and predict quantities that cannot be directly accessed. Jen also carries out projects to analyse tasks for their demands in order to understand and input into the redesign of environment/objects for reduced dexterity.

Publications

Journal articles

Yoxall A, Tingle A, Hart J, Rowson J, Lucas I & Wilson J (2023) “Fancy a Brew? “: Understanding factors influencing ease of use of cups used in care homes. Clinical Nutrition Open Science.
Fatima A, Zaheer A & Rowson J (2021) Evaluating and managing MSDs in domestic tasks through ergonomics. Journal of Engineering Research.
Yoxall A, Gonzalez V, Best J, Rodriguez-Falcon E & Rowson J (2019) As you like it: understanding the relationship between packing design and accessibility. Packaging Technology and Science. View this article in WRRO
Zaheer A, Yoxall A & Rowson J (2019) ERGONOMICS APPROACH TO ASSESS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC TASKS–PART “B”. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 6(2), 132-151. View this article in WRRO
Zaheer A, Yoxall A & Rowson J (2018) Ergonomics approach to assess the risk associated with the performance of domestic tasks–part “A”. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 5(5), 228-245. View this article in WRRO
Rowson J, Yoxall A & Gonzalez V (2018) Differences in EMG Burst Patterns During Grasping Dexterity Tests and Activities of Daily Living. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 6. View this article in WRRO
Baldacchino T, Jacobs WR, Anderson SR, Worden K & Rowson J (2018) Simultaneous Force Regression and Movement Classification of Fingers via Surface EMG within a Unified Bayesian Framework. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 6(13). View this article in WRRO
Yoxall A, Gonzalez V & Rowson J (2017) Analysis of Finger Motion Coordination during Packaging Interactions. Packaging Technology and Science. View this article in WRRO
Baldacchino T, Worden K & Rowson J (2017) Robust nonlinear system identification: Bayesian mixture of experts using the t-distribution. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 85, 977-992. View this article in WRRO
Yoxall A & Rowson J (2016) Note: Talking about Torque: Measuring Pack Accessibility – a Review. Packaging Technology and Science, 29(12), 613-613. View this article in WRRO
Rowson J, Sangrar A, Rodriguez-Falcon E, Bell AF, Walton KA, Yoxall A & Kamat SR (2016) Note: Rating Accessibility of Packaging: A Medical Packaging Example. Packaging Technology and Science, 29(12), 607-607. View this article in WRRO
Gonzalez-Sanchez V, Rowson J & Yoxall A (2016) Analysis of finger movement coordination during the Variable Dexterity Test and comparative activities of daily living. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 23(10), 481-491. View this article in WRRO
Worden K, Baldacchino T, Rowson J & Cross EJ (2016) Some Recent Developments in SHM Based on Nonstationary Time Series Analysis. Proceedings of the IEEE, 104(8), 1589-1603. View this article in WRRO
Gonzalez V, Rowson J & Yoxall A (2016) Analyzing finger interdependencies during the Purdue Pegboard Test and comparative activities of daily living. Journal of Hand Therapy, 30(1), 80-88. View this article in WRRO
Baldacchino T, Cross EJ, Worden K & Rowson J (2016) Variational Bayesian mixture of experts models and sensitivity analysis for nonlinear dynamical systems. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 66-67, 178-200. View this article in WRRO
Gonzalez-Sanchez V, Rowson J & Yoxall A (2016) Analysis of finger movement coordination during the Variable Dexterity Test and comparative activities of daily living. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THERAPY AND REHABILITATION, 23(10), 480-490.
Pancani S, Rowson J, Tindale W, Heron N, Langley J, McCarthy AD, Quinn A, Reed H, Stanton A, Shaw PJ , McDermott CJ et al (2016) Assessment of the Sheffield Support Snood, an innovative cervical orthosis designed for people affected by neck muscle weakness. Clinical Biomechanics, 32, 201-206. View this article in WRRO
Gonzalez V, Rowson J & Yoxall A (2015) Development of the Variable Dexterity Test: Construction, reliability and validity. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 22(4), 174-180. View this article in WRRO
Yoxall A & Rowson J (2014) Talking about Torque: Measuring Pack Accessibility - a Review. Packaging Technology and Science. View this article in WRRO
Rowson J, Sangrar A, Rodriguez-Falcon E, Bell AF, Walton KA, Yoxall A & Kamat SR (2013) Rating Accessibility of Packaging: A Medical Packaging Example. Packaging Technology and Science.
Becker W, Worden K & Rowson J (2012) Bayesian sensitivity analysis of bifurcating nonlinear models. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing.
Becker W, Oakley JE, Surace C, Gili P, Rowson J & Worden K (2012) Bayesian sensitivity analysis of a nonlinear finite element model. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing.
Batterbee DC, Sims ND, Becker W, Worden K & Rowson J (2011) Computational model of an infant brain subjected to periodic motion simplified modelling and bayesian sensitivity analysis. P I MECH ENG H, 225(H11), 1036-1049.
Becker W, Rowson J, Oakley JE, Yoxall A, Manson G & Worden K (2011) Bayesian sensitivity analysis of a model of the aortic valve.. J Biomech, 44(8), 1499-1506.
Rowson J & Yoxall A (2011) Hold, grasp, clutch or grab: consumer grip choices during food container opening.. Appl Ergon, 42(5), 627-633.
Becker W, Rowson J, Oakley JE, Yoxall A, Manson G & Worden K (2011) Bayesian sensitivity analysis of a model of the aortic valve. Journal of Biomechanics, 44(8), 1499-1506.
Rowson J & Yoxall A (2011) Hold, grasp, clutch or grab: Consumer grip choices during food container opening. Applied Ergonomics, 42(5), 627-633.
Langley J, Yoxall A, Heppell G, Rodriguez EM, Bradbury S, Lewis R, Luxmoore J, Hodzic A & Rowson J (2010) Food for thought?--A UK pilot study testing a methodology for compositional domestic food waste analysis.. Waste Manag Res, 28(3), 220-227.
Kamat SR, Yoxall A, Craig C, Carrsé MJ & Rowson J (2010) Understanding grip choice and comfort whilst hoovering. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 42, 1324-1329.
Kamat SR, Yoxall A, Craig C, Carré MJ & Rowson J (2010) Understanding grip choice and comfort whilst hoovering. Proceedings of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 66, 1338-1343.
Yoxall A, Langley J, Luxmoore J, Janson R, Taylor JC & Rowson J (2010) Understanding the use of tools for opening packaging. Universal Access in the Information Society, 9(3), 273-281.
Chiang WK, Ghassemieh E, Lewis R, Rowson J & Thompson C (2010) Comparison of tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) at different temperatures. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 24(11-12), 1949-1957.
Yoxall A, Langley J, Janson R, Lewis R, Wearn J, Hayes SA & Bix L (2010) How Wide Do You Want the Jar?: The Effect on Diameter for Ease of Opening for Wide-mouth Closures. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 23(1), 11-18.
Yoxall A, Kamat SR, Langley J & Rowson J (2010) Squeezability. Part 2: getting stuff out of a bottle. P I MECH ENG C-J MEC, 224(C6), 1261-1271.
Blakey S, Rowson J, Tomlinson RA, Sandham A & Yoxall A (2009) Squeezability. Part 1: a pressing issue. P I MECH ENG C-J MEC, 223(11), 2615-2625.
Rowson J, Yoxall A & Hart JH (2008) Modelling capping of 28 mm beverage closures using finite element analysis. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 21(5), 287-296.
Yoxall A, Luxmoore J, Rowson J, Langley J & Janson R (2008) Size does matter: Further studies in hand-pack interaction using computer simulation. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 21(2), 61-72.
Yoxall A, Luxmoore J, Austin M, Canty L, Margrave KJ, Richardson CJ, Wearn J, Howard IC & Lewis R (2007) Getting to grips with packaging: Using ethnography and computer simulation to understand hand-pack interaction. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 20(3), 217-229.
Yoxall A, Janson R, Bradbury SR, Langley J, Wearn J & Hayes S (2006) Openability: Producing design limits for consumer packaging. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 19(4), 219-225.
Yoxall A, Langley J, Janson R, Wearn J & Manson G (2006) The use of uncertainty analysis for the design of container closures. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 19(3), 139-147.
Langley J, Janson R, Wearn J & Yoxall A (2005) 'Inclusive' design for containers: Improving openability. PACKAG TECHNOL SCI, 18(6), 285-293.

Chapters

Rowson J, Yoxall A, Langley J, Janson R, Luxmoore J & Taylor JC (2008) Designing Inclusive Futures In Langdon P, Clarkson J & Robinson P (Ed.), Designing Inclusive Futures (pp. 65-74). Springer Verlag

Conference proceedings papers

Baldacchino T, Jacobs W, Anderson SR, Worden K & Rowson J (2015) Estimation of Fingertip Force from Surface EMG - A Multivariate Bayesian Mixture of Experts Approach. Proceedings of the International Conference on Bio-inspired Systems and Signal Processing, 12 January 2015 - 15 January 2015.
Baldacchino T, Worden K & Rowson J (2014) Sensitivity analysis using a Bayesian mixture of experts model for a bifurcating Duffing oscillator. Proceedings of ISMA 2014 - International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering and USD 2014 - International Conference on Uncertainty in Structural Dynamics (pp 4437-4452)
Baldacchino T, Rowson J & Worden K (2014) Nonlinear Time Series Analysis Using Bayesian Mixture of Experts (pp 111-121)
Yoxall A, Langley J, Musselwhite C, Rodriguez-Falcon EM & Rowson J (2010) Husband, Daughter, Son and Postman, Hot-water, Knife and Towel: Assistive Strategies for Jar Opening. DESIGNING INCLUSIVE INTERACTIONS (pp 187-196)
Cheng J, Batterbee D, Yoxall A, Sims ND, Rowson J & Howard IC (2008) Shaken baby syndrome: a structural dynamics perspective. PROCEEDINGS OF ISMA 2008: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NOISE AND VIBRATION ENGINEERING, VOLS. 1-8 (pp 2003-2014)
Becker W, Rowson J, Oakley J, Yoxall A, Manson G & Worden K (2008) Bayesian Sensitivity Analysis of a Large Nonlinear Model. PROCEEDINGS OF ISMA 2008: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NOISE AND VIBRATION ENGINEERING, VOLS. 1-8 (pp 3723-3736) View this article in WRRO
Yoxall A, Langley J, Luxrnoore J, Janson R, Taylor JC & Rowson J (2008) Help or hindrance: The use of tools for opening packaging. DESIGNING INCLUSIVE FUTURES (pp 65-74)
Rowson J & Sareh P () Aesthetic-Aerodynamic Design Optimization of a Car Grille Profile While Preserving Brand Identity. Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED'09), Vol. 4 (pp 13-24). Stanford, CA, USA, 24 August 2009 - 27 August 2009.
Rowson J, Kamat SR, Carre MJ & Yoxall A () A Preliminary Study into the Human Perception of Hand Pain for Activities Common in Daily Life. Nordic Ergonomics Society 41st Annual Conference Globalized Ergonomics. Elsinore Denmark, 22 June 2009 - 24 June 2009.
Rowson J, Sims ND & Batterbee DC () Finite element modelling of shaken baby syndrome: A frequency response approach. IMAC-XXVII: Conference & Exposition on Structural Dynamics. Orlando, Florida, USA, 9 February 2009 - 12 February 2009.

Teaching activities

MEC461 Engineering Commercial Success
MEC456 Human Factors and User-Centred Design