Grants and abstracts

National Research Traineeship (NRT): Design for Equity in Policies, Products, Processes, Places, and Pedagogy for People: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Graduate Research Training

• Grant Recipient: The University of Texas at El Paso
• Year: 2024-2028
• Abstract: The National Research Traineeship (NRT) program focuses on design equity, aiming to provide education and research training to cultivate equity-centered decision-making and design practices. Using the "5 Ps" framework—policies, products (both physical and digital), processes, places (built environments and infrastructure), and pedagogy (training and education)—the program prepares trainees to address societal and community challenges, delivering meaningful solutions through equitable design.  This grant funds graduate students across disciplines to engage in research on design equity, participate in community engagement experiences, and enhance their expertise through a 5-course certificate program. The project contributes new knowledge and practices to conventional design processes, emphasizing the importance of designing with equity at the forefront.

Capacity Change Catalysts in Increasing Student Diversity in Engineering

• Grant Recipient:University of Iowa
• Year: 2021-2024
• Abstract: This grant aimed to build institutional capacity to increase diversity in undergraduate engineering programs at predominantly white institutions. Using a sociotechnical systems lens, the research identified systemwide catalysts, such as policies, resources, and stakeholder roles, to improve underrepresented students' recruitment, retention, and graduation. Outputs included system capacity matrices and templates for other institutions to broaden participation efforts. The project contributed to diversifying the engineering workforce and creating sustainable change in educational practices.

Office Work in the AI Age

• Grant Recipient: University of Iowa
• Year: 2021-2023
• Abstract: This project examined the complexities of office work and the design of AI-based automation tools. It addressed challenges such as job reliance, organizational knowledge, and interpersonal skills, ensuring automation tools accounted for workers' needs and organizational dynamics. Key activities included a comprehensive literature review, focus groups with office workers, and a multidisciplinary ideation workshop. The findings contributed to a research agenda to improve office automation and enhance worker outcomes.

RAPID: Triaging Decisions during Catastrophic Events

• Grant Recipient: University of Iowa
• Year: 2020-2022
• Abstract: This RAPID project explored decision-making strategies among triage nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research analyzed triage calls, decision-making screens, and nurse interviews to understand how nurses managed patient risks and constraints during a high-stakes crisis. Findings provided evidence-based insights for improving triage training, protocols, and guidelines, contributing to better preparedness for future catastrophic events.

Technology, Cognitive Work, and Patient Safety: An Information-Oriented Model

• Grant Recipient: University of Iowa
• Year: 2012-2015
• Abstract: The research investigated the cognitive challenges healthcare providers faced in IT environments, focusing on developing a cognitive work design technique to model low-level healthcare information. The study aimed to understand how information-bound care tasks supported provider effectiveness, intending to improve health IT systems to enhance efficiency and reduce medical errors.