Patrick is a human-computer interaction researcher with particular expertise in human-centred design methods, digital health, and collaborative and social computing. Patrick coined the term Digital Civics, now a central focus of his research. This is a cross-disciplinary area of research that explores ways technology can promote new forms of participation in the design and delivery of local services including education, public health and social care and town planning.

Another key element of Patrick's work is a commitment to the creation of open source software and hardware. Notable examples include the OpenMovement AX3 accelerometer which was designed for the largest study of physical activity ever conducted (over 100K participants) and now the most widely used monitor by clinical researchers across the World (see spinout Axivity Ltd). Another is Intake24, an online 24-hour dietary recall system that was developed for Food Standards Scotland. Initially aimed at a UK population, Intake24 is currently used in the UK government's National Diet & Nutrition Survey and the Australian Bureau of Statistics Intergeneration Health and Mental Health Survey.

Patrick leads Action Lab, a multidisciplinary research group comprising impact-focused researchers working at the intersection of communities, technology and social innovation.

Digital Health, Interaction Design, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Collaborative Computing, Social Computing, Media Computing.

Digital Health, Interaction Design, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Collaborative Computing, Social Computing, Media Computing.