Global Security.
My work around global security issues began in 2015 with an introduction to the organization N Square. I was motivated by their call to action, to imagine how we might design a world free from nuclear threats. I began by designing curriculum for Industrial Design students to engage in this topic. To date, I’ve offered three courses to both undergraduate and graduate students where we’ve explored variations to the themes of security, risk and trust.
In 2017, I began working with a small team through N Square’s Innovation Network to explore issues related to nuclear verification challenges. Our team consisted of technical experts from the safeguards field as well as designers and strategists. As part of our work, we invited subject matter experts to explain what they do in everyday language. We then invited designers to interpret these explanations graphically. Our intention was to combine these two disciplines in an effort to expand the public’s understanding of verification measures and how they work to keep the world safer.
As my work in this field has matured, I have been invited to facilitate workshops and speak at events at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Disruptive Futures Nuclear Weapons Summit, The Nuclear Threat Initiative, The US Military Academy at West Point and at the International Atomic Energy Agency and a Gun Violence Prevention hackathon.
This work has enabled me to gain a better understanding of the culture and constraints of the partners that I’ve worked with. Our collaborations have also provided an opportunity for me to share the role that design can play with regards to complex issues.
In November 0f 2018 I was invited to speak on the Closing Plenary Session at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. The Panel was titled - Mechanisms for Future Innovation in Safeguards.
I was honored to have the opportunity to talk about creativity to an international audience of safeguards experts. They were very receptive to my presentation and we had some fascinating discussions about risk and the elements necessary to foster an innovative environment.
In the Spring of 2018 I was invited to be the only civilian judge for the West Point/MIT Institute for Nano-Technology Soldier Design Competition. West Point cadet design teams competed for six slots to the competition finals held at MIT. The cadet teams went on to win three of the four places, including the top prize. This incredible experience informed some of the curriculum development that I designed for a collaboration between RISD Industrial Design students and West Point cadets.
While visiting West Point, I was able to meet with Officers from several departments to learn more about their work around security issues. These valuable conversations help me understand where we might find intersections for collaboration between our disciplines.
