Pamela Napier
Assistant ProfessorI have collaborated with IUSON; the Center for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning; the Center for Service and Learning; the Department of Religious Studies; and various organizations/businesses in multiple sectors.
ude[dot]iupui[at]reipancp
Facilitating People-Centered Design Research and Community Engagement
My research focuses on how to facilitate cross- and inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration throughout the design process, for the purpose of enabling people to solve challenges facing them in their everyday lives. My approach is people-centered—which is founded upon the belief that all people have the potential to identify challenges, create innovative solutions, and bring about meaningful change; I teach both undergraduate and graduate courses utilizing a service-learning pedagogy, where students engage people in various communities, organizations and institutions to help them do those very things. The frameworks and models I have developed to practice and teach people-centered design research and facilitation, are not only being used in other classes, but by educators in other universities, in different parts of the nation. Organizations and institutions that I have provided design research, strategy and facilitation services for, have not only implemented new products and services as a result of that work, but also adopted my approach and methods in their own practices.