Changing Tides Anthology (June 2020)

"Pretzels and a Problem of Scale" is a personal essay I wrote about mankind's relationship with single-use goods. This piece is included in the anthology "Changing Tides," a collaboration between Pact Press and the Coral Restoration Foundation. You can purchase the complete anthology through the Regal House Publishing website.

Conducting Field Research to Discover Customer's Unmet Needs (April 2020—The Everyday Innovator SUMMIT)

In an online summit with over 2,000 registered attendees, the host and I discussed: design research as a broad field, my favorite field research methods, project management from identifying objectives through communicating findings, and persona development.

THE MIXED METHODS MINEFIELD: INNOVATION IN HEALTH CARE RESEARCH SERVICES (NOVEMBER 2019—PDMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE: COMPETITIVE EDGE: DISRUPTION BY DESIGN)

In this presentation, I discussed how to design research based on the phase of work your team is in. I broke out the differences between methods that don’t require hypotheses, methods that synthesize findings, methods that test hypotheses, and methods that pressure-test your design.

User Experience (UX) Bootcamp: Applying Design Tools to Environmental Education (October 2019—NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium)

Abstract: Have you heard phrases like “user experience” and “design thinking,” but aren’t sure how they apply to educational materials? In this introductory session, we’ll unpack how UX methodology can help foster conservation awareness. Through three case studies, we’ll review basic design principles to help you create highly engaging materials.

About the conference: For nearly five decades, NAAEE has convened one of the leading annual conferences for environmental education professionals, designed to promote innovation, networking, learning, and dissemination of best practices. 

Dynamic Instructional Materials: How to Apply Multimedia to Engage Your Users (April 2019—HFES Conference)

Abstract: As digital media becomes ever easier to incorporate into product development, we are seeing advances in its utilization in the medical instruction design arena. Instructional materials that incorporate video or correspond with a mobile app are steadily increasing in popularity. Is this the future of instructional materials? Does digital media hold the key to intuitive instructions and flawless compliance? Our poster presented the benefits and restrictions of both emergent and traditional methods.

Responsible for all content (text and graphics). Concept generation with Lindsay Carrabine. Video samples produced by Design Science videography team.

Do No Harm (Unless That’s Expensive) (NOVEMBER 2018—PHillyCHI)

Abstract: All healthcare providers swear an oath to “do no harm,” yet their ideals are quickly tested by institutional financial restrictions and poorly designed systems that force practitioners to see patients as data points rather than people. How can data be documented—and communicated—to allow good (decisions driven by user needs) to become more prominent than evil (financial limitations and motivations)?

Co-presented with Lindsay Carrabine. Read more on the Design Science blog here.

FISH ID: Top 25 Fish at Christ of the Abyss (APRIL 2018—John Pennekamp State Park)

Using the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) marine sightings database, I identified the top 25 most commonly sighted fish at the Christ of the Abyss statue in John Pennekamp State Park in Florida. I designed and led a presentation that taught park attendants about the behavior of the 25 fish, as well as memory tricks for identifying them while in the water.