Universitetslektor (Associate Professor) at Luleå University of Technology

Norrbotten, Sweden

Biography

**Solving Challenging Problems with Neurodiverse Teams**

Research Interests

• Neurodiversity and Multidisciplinary Design Process

• Habits and Creativity

• Empathy and Design

• Multimodal Transportation Design and Placemaking

• Emotional Design

Teaching PhilosopHy

I am strongly committed to design education and currently serve as the Education Council Representative for the Industrial Design Society of America, Central District.

My own multi-cultural heritage has informed a passionate support for inclusion and helped shape the holistic approach that is central to my design philosophy. As a committed transdisciplinary instructor, diversity comes with the territory. My approach to design education employs a sensitive mindfulness of the complex nuances required for good problem solving. This approach extends to inform a genuine appreciation for the differences of people I teach and with whom I collaborate.

Working in academia is a privilege and students are central to this privilege. My students provide me the opportunity to develop my academic career and to help them to reach their goals. I have always been cognizant that it is our differences that makes the classroom experience rich. As a discipline, design has its own unique culture, lexicon, rituals, and habits that transcend geographical borders. The one-on-one teaching method of the design critique is intimate and serves to foster close relationships, even when people are not native English speakers. When circumstances require, I easily adapt, making adjustments and emphasizing important points in creative ways, so that all may better understand me.

My passion for diversity expands to include neurodiversity. My research focus on Design and Neurodiversity centers on better understanding and accommodating for cognitive style preferences resulting from normal variations in the human genome. My recent senior studio worked on a Learning Experience Design project focusing on ontological insecurity and the Ohio worker. In this project, users’ cognitive style preferences were quickly identified and their learning experience was customized to accommodate for cognitive style preference.

At Iowa State University, I served as Co-chair of the College of Design’s Diversity Committee in 2015. That same year, I also received the Iowa State University Multicultural Student Affairs Director's Award. I have also had several prior international educational experiences, which point to my capacity to serve as a trustworthy cultural ambassador and demonstrates my commitment to diversity and inclusion.

In 2007, I taught Interior Architecture at a college in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While in Saudi Arabia, I developed new courses and established a woodshop for the women of the school. I am also an international person myself, having recieved my college education in Canada, France, and the United States where I am now a citizen. Throughout my graduate schooling, I worked as a French speaking international flight attendant and appreciated the opportunity that this travel offered to expand my knowledge and appreciation of new cultures.

Email: compliteam@gmail.com

Instruction

Courses Taught at The Ohio State University

Enrollment Course Name, Section, & Credit Hours

Spring Semester 2019

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

EDUCST 8191, PhD Research Apprenticeship

(Department of Educational Studies) (3)

DSN 4151, Intermediate Industrial Design II (4)

DSN 5301, Visualization Strategies for Industrial Design II (4)

Autumn Semester 2018

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 3301, Visualization Strategies for Industrial Design I (4)

DSN 3101, Introduction to Industrial Design (4)

Spring Semester 2018

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 5151, Industrial Design Senior Thesis Studio (4)

DSN 2130, Design Fundamentals: 2D and 3D Visualization and Design Problem Solving (4)

Autumn Semester 2017

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 5200, Research III for Industrial Design (4)

DSN 3101, Introduction to Industrial Design (4)

Spring Semester 2017

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 5151, Industrial Design Senior Thesis Studio (4)

DSN 3151, Introduction to Industrial Design (4)

Autumn Semester 2016

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 5101, Advanced Industrial Design 1 (4)

DSN 5200, Research III for Industrial Design (4)

Courses Taught at Iowa State University

Enrollment Course Name, Section, & Credit Hours

Spring Semester 2015

(21 Contact Hours/Week)

INDD 202, Industrial Design Studio II (6)

Fall Semester 2014

(21 Contact Hours/Week)

INDD 201, Industrial Design Studio I (6)

Summer 2014

(3.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DES 250, Design Forum: The Paradox of Risk (2)

College of Design Summer Workshop and Camp

Program (3-week intensive)

Spring Semester 2014

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Design Studio I (4)

DES 240X, Design with Color (2)

DES S 331, Predicting Trends and Consumer

Desire in Design (3)

Fall Semester 2013

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DES 491, Portfolio & Professional Development (4)

ARCH 201, Sec MIL Architectural Design I (6)

ARCH 490B, Independent Study Design (2)

Summer Semester 2013

(11 Contact Hours/Week)

DES 250X, Design Forum (2)

DES 340X, Daycare Design Studio (2)

Spring Semester 2013

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Design Studio I (4)

DES 240X, Design with Color (2)

IND D 590X, Color, Trends and Forecasts (3)

Fall Semester 2012

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DES 491, Portfolio & Professional Development (4)

ARCH 201, Sec MIL Architectural Design I (6)

Spring Semester 2012

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Design Studio I (4)

DES 240X, Design with Color (2)

IND D 590X, Color, Trends and Forecasts (3)

Fall Semester 2011

(22.5 Contact Hours/Week)

IND D 231, Introduction to Industrial Design (3)

ARCH 301, Sec MIL Architectural Design III (6)

IND D 332, Design Research Methods (3)

Spring Semester 2010

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Sec 19/20 Design Studio I (4)

ARCH 202, Sec JUL Architectural Design II (6)

Fall Semester 2009

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Sec 27/28 Design Studio I (4)

ARCH 201, Sec JUL Architectural Design I (6)

Spring Semester 2009

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Sec 19/20 Design Studio I (4)

ARCH 202, Sec JUL Architectural Design II (6)

Fall Semester 2008

(20.5 Contact Hours/Week)

DSN 102, Sec 25 Design Studio I (4)

ARCH 201, Sec JUL Architectural Design I (6)

Courses Taught at Prince Sultan University, KSA

Enrollment Course Name, Section, & Credit Hours

Fall Semester 2007

(32 Contact Hours/Week)

IDE 101, Sec 70 Introduction to Interior Design (3)

IDE 101, Sec 71 Introduction to Interior Design (3)

IDE 202, Sec 78 Foundations of Color (5)

IDE 202, Sec 79 Foundations of Color (5)

Spring Semester 2008

(36 Contact Hours/Week)

IDE 202, Sec 75 Foundations of Color (5)

IDE 202, Sec 76 Foundations of Color (5)

IDE 209, Sec 80 Portfolio Preparation and Presentation (2)

IDE 302, Sec 80 Human Factors (3)

IDE 407, Sec 84 Sustainable Design and Building Integration (3)