Research

My research philosophy encompasses design thinking and user-centered foci. In industry, you regularly hear, “We need to meet people where they’re at.” Sometimes, because we are real people creating products for real people, we tend to think we’ve already got some intrinsic knowledge or understanding to guide us. That’s not always the case so it’s imperative to ask the right questions, actively listen, and leave our judgement at the door. If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my studies, work, and adventures, the combination of emic (insider’s), etic (outsider’s), and empathic perspectives is the key to success.

I have experience designing and executing all phases of the research process as well as training junior team members. I am versed in generative and evaluative research. I specialize in qualitative research methods (e.g., ethnographic observations, in-depth interviews, focus groups, Design Sprints, etc.) and am also trained in quantitative approaches (e.g., surveys, secondary data analysis, and experiments). My teaching background honed my ability to communicate complicated information to a diverse audience. I also have experience crafting RFPs.