The world is changing; therefore, how problems are identified and solved is also changing. This talk will set the context for the role of design in creating purposeful and pragmatic advances in society, both historically and today. It will then highlight some of our research showing the steadily growing impact of design research in creating better products, services, environments, and social systems, better economic relations, and a better world in which to live.
About the speaker: Jodi Forlizzi is the Herbert A. Simon Professor of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. She is also the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead in the School of Computer Science. She is responsible for establishing design research as a legitimate form of research in HCI that is different from, but equally as important as, scientific and human science research. Jodi has advocated for design research in all forms, mentoring peers, colleagues, and students in its structure and execution, and today it is an important part of the HCI community. Her current research interests include designing human-robot interaction as a service and human-AI collaboration in the domains of eldercare, accessibility, human assistance, and overall wellbeing.