Learn Human Centered Design!
Take advantage of this exciting professional development opportunity. Learn Human Centered Design (HCD) to make your research more innovative and your team more effective.
What is HCD?
Human Centered Design (HCD) is a structured yet flexible approach to problem solving that focuses on building empathy, sparking out-of-the-box thinking, and designing more innovative and impactful solutions. HCD methods are visual, participatory, egalitarian, and engaging.
Pitt’s HCD certification training is provided by the LUMA Institute, a nationally respected, Pittsburgh-based design firm.
What is the value of this training?
Researchers who have completed HCD training have found it highly beneficial, and report using HCD to refine interventions, uncover barriers to implementation, write innovative grants and manuscripts, and collect critical input from team members.
What is involved in HCD training?
To earn LUMA’s Practitioner Certification, participants must complete the following:
- Initial training sessions: 2 full days; lunch provided
- Coaching sessions: 3 sessions, 2 hours each (held monthly after initial training)
Trainings are currently scheduled to take place in person.
Who is eligible?
Any faculty or staff member of a research team can apply to participate in HCD training. Preference will be given to people who…
- Are involved in health research.
- Can articulate a compelling need/desire to develop HCD competencies.
What commitment is required?
LUMA training is expensive and constitutes a significant investment on the part of the CTSI. It is also highly sought after, thus seats are at a premium. If you are selected and agree to participate, we expect you to commit to attending:
- The full training
- A minimum of two of the follow-up coaching sessions
- A minimum of two Brown-Bag HCD lunches in the year following the training. These informal meetings of university colleagues who use HCD will offer an excellent opportunity for you to discuss your own applications of HCD methods and get input from the group. Our goal is to build an HCD community of practice across the university.
How can I apply?
Our next training is scheduled for:
May 1-2, 2023 (9-5, lunch included)
If you are interested in this training, please use the link below to apply. We also encourage you to join our HCD Community in Teams to learn more about HCD opportunities, share resources, discuss strategies, get advice, and find collaborators! Got questions? Contact Will Hierholzer at: wih22@pitt.edu.
