Lighting That Transforms
Health, Focus, & Performance
Discover how evidence-led lighting can support mental and physical health, productivity and operational performance – guided by international expert Dr Shelley James.
Introducing the Sleep Strategy Partnership
Sparked by conversations with dozens of social care providers about the impact of poor sleep on falls and well-being – and thanks to the support of the National Care Forum, I’ve set up the Sleep Strategy Partnership. We offer an independent advisory service to professionals in the dementia care sector.
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Customized Consultancy
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Expert Insights and Strategy Development
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End to End support
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Leadership and Team Empowerment
Is Poor Lighting Impacting Your People’s Sleep, Mood and Focus?
Simple changes to the lighting can significantly improve mental and physical health, especially for older adults and neurodivergent people.
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Circadian lighting can reduce falls by up to 43% in residential care
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Evening light intervention reduced errors by 67% in night shift workers
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BLT can reduce risk of SAD by 36%
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Brighter mornings improve quality and quantity of sleep
Without expert guidance, even well-intentioned design choices can negatively impact the people who live and work in your spaces every day.
How It Works
Creating healthier, high-performing spaces is simpler than you think:
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Connect Book a consultation to discuss your goals and challenges.
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Assess Receive a tailored audit or strategy grounded in the latest scientific research.
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Transform Implement human-centric lighting solutions that enhance health, focus, and productivity.
Meet Shelley James – Your Lighting and Wellbeing Expert
Shelley James is an international consultant, TEDx speaker, and educator specialising in the science of light and health. She translates complex research into practical solutions that improve lives, performance, and learning outcomes.
With a background spanning design, education, and business strategy, Shelley helps:
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Healthcare providers improve quality of care, staff engagement and operational performance -
Business leaders create workplaces that earn the commute -
Lighting and controls manufacturers optimise product development for market fit
Explore My Expertise
I offer three core services, each tailored to your unique needs. Every project is different, just like every client I work with. Explore the options below and reach out to discuss how I can help bring your vision to life.
Consulting
I partner with innovators,, technical specialists and academics to develop, deliver and evaluate practical, sustainable solutions.
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Speaking
As a keynote and TEDx speaker, I deliver tailored, engaging presentations to inspire and inform.
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Curating
I collaborate with clients to curate engaging interviews and debates that bridge the gap between science, industry, and practical application.
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Trusted by leaders in Healthcare,
Workplace and Education
Shelly is an inspirational speaker who brings evidence to life in a way that is both accessible and deeply meaningful to her audiences. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with her to highlight the evidence behind lighting in mental health environments. She a passionate ambassador for the Design in Mental Health Network, consistently supporting and promoting the charity’s work while continually striving share her knowledge.
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Charlotte Burrows
Chief Executive Officer, Design in Mental Health Network
Dr Shelley James is an expert in light and a brilliant teacher who is passionate about designing the most impactful learning spaces. Working with her to apply known theories as well as delving into new areas of research has been both inspiring and thought provoking; she just makes you want to learn more!
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Joanne Ladds
Associate Education Consultant, Noble+Eaton
It was an absolute pleasure working with Dr Shelley. From our first conversations, she opened up our ideas on how our event could work and was instrumental in helping us craft an experience that really emphasised the importance of light and control, in a fun and engaging way. Her enthusiasm and depth of knowledge is infectious, and played a key role in making the event as successfully as it was.
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Chhaya Landschultz
Director & Lighting Designer, IndigoZest
” A great session !- super-practical and full of cool facts too, the conversation was really interesting and engaging at all times. The session was over booked
and the room was packed with colleagues from every level in the organisation. We all left with a better sense of what might work better for ourselves and other people, we learnt about the impact and importance of light exposure and how this is related to our mental and physical health. … The session with Dr. Shelley was enlightening and my colleagues came away buzzing and excited to put some of the tips into practice at home and in the office. “
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Andrea Burnett
Executive Director, Santander
We have loved working with Shelley: we value especially her rigour and generous-spirited creativity. She literally sheds light on the subject of human thriving and wellbeing – people go away from her sessions with a host of new illuminating insights.
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Tracy Camilleri
Co-founder Thompson Harrison, Associate Fellow at Oxford University Said Business School (OSBS)
Working with Dr. Shelley James was a great experience. While she has the knowledge of a researcher, she has the time management skills of a business person. Always professional, courteous, knowledgeable–and on time!
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Randy Reid
Editor, The Edison Report
Shelley advanced the role of lighting in a compelling way — touching on wellbeing and productivity, and how light can improve sleep, resolve conflict, reduce back pain and support shift work.
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Jeremy Myerson
Director, WorkTech Academy
I first met Shelley when she launched her Luna Golightly campaign. Since then we have found numerous ways to collaborate and what fun it is. With me being firmly and squarely in the commercial and technical segment of the lighting industry, it’s wonderful to work with Shelley as she brings deep knowledge of the latest and historical science and research related to light and lighting, along with a sharp mind and eye for creating actionable insights. Her industry reputation and credibility precede her and she is a proper team player who conducts herself with integrity. These qualities combine to make Shelley a formidable commercial partner and industry colleague.
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Pete Earle
UK Marketing Director, Kumux
I had heard about Dr. Shelley James, affectionately known as ‘The Light Lady,’ even before assuming my role at The Lighting Industry Association. Renowned as a trusted academic in our field, she has a remarkable ability to distil complex lighting concepts into clear, relatable insights for a much wider audience.
Her wealth of research and expertise in quality lighting, particularly its impacts on health and well-being, is an invaluable resource to The LIA.
It’s always a delight to meet her at industry events and experience the warmth and professionalism she brings to those she organises. Her commitment to improving the industry and advancing the understanding of lighting’s role in our lives is truly inspiring.
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Ayça Donaghy
CEO, The LIA
Dr Shelley James is a great addition to the design team. In her work, she considers not just the lighting proposals but also the wider implications of the project, such as energy efficiency, inclusive design, and the building users’ well-being.
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Zane Putne
SEND Director, Noviun Architects
Explore the Latest Insights on Light and Health
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Ready to Transform Your Spaces?
Book your consultation today and start designing environments where people thrive.
Our Clients
LA Times, TEDx, EuroLuce, Light Review, and more.
