This article discusses the collaboration between the Royal Society of Edinburgh/Young Academy of Scotland and the Innovation School at The Glasgow School of Art. The Ways of Seeing Invisible Illness Crossover project explores tangible ways of understanding people’s experiences of living and working with invisible conditions.

This can include illnesses that are not noticeable to others, or conditions that are actively hidden for privacy or fear of discrimination. Historically, welfare, care, transport and reasonable adjustments in the workplace have focused on visible disability. However, the psychological impact of invisible illness, or living long-term with such unseen conditions, can be debilitating. This under-recognised challenge requires support across society, including health and social care, education and workplace settings.

Crossover is a series of projects initiated by Elio Caccavale and Dr Michael Pierre Johnson at the GSA Innovation School that uses design-led innovation approaches to bring together wide-ranging expertise to identify areas of concern and opportunities for improvement through scientific, health and social advances.

This collaboration makes the most of our collective interdisciplinary knowledge to provide expertise and innovative thinking to identify and tackle the most pressing health challenges in Scotland, and beyond.