Recent Events Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

Theory to Practice: The Intersection of Human-Centered Design & Public Policy

During our autumn 2021 Theory to Practice, The Intersection of Human-Centered Design and Public Policy: How you can apply design-thinking principles to solve complex public challenges, our guests Rachael Cicero, Dr. Mark Childs, and Krissy Kimura explored the fundamental ideas and methods of human-centered design, shared applicable ideas and tools to help solve challenges you are facing in your own professional sphere, and shared their lived experience using design methodology for solving complex community challenges.

Presenters

Rachael Cicero, is the City of Seattle’s civic designer. In her current role, she is responsible for spearheading research, engagement, and evaluation efforts for City programs and service delivery. Prior to joining the City of Seattle in 2019, Rachael spent over six years managing design and engineering work at companies such as Twitter and Seattle-based design consultancy, Artefact.

Dr. Mark Childs, an Evans School alum, is a professor emeritus, writer, poet, and architect. Mark recently retired from serving as interim dean of architecture and planning at the University of New Mexico where he had been on the faculty for the last 26 years. An accomplished scholar and academic, he was also a senior Fulbright scholar in Cyprus in 2005 where he researched architectural development and civic space. Prior to that he worked as a planner and architect in Seattle.

Krissy Kimura is the Interim Assistant Director for the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement at the University of Washington Tacoma. Previously based in Washington, DC, she was a contractor for the federal government under the General Services Administration on the Code.gov team and at the Department of Energy, where she worked as a User Experience Designer.

Event Recording

Conversation Resources

Backward Mapping: Implementation Research and Policy Decisions Richard F. Elmore

Global Innovation and Design Lab UW Tacoma

Innovation & Performance City of Seattle

Community Liaisons Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

Design Justice Network Principles

Usability Digital.gov

An Introduction to Design Thinking Process Guide Hasso Platner Institute of Design at Stanford

IDEO Design and Consulting Firm, Palo Alto, California

IDEO U Online Design Education

Mural Online collaboration tool

The Design of Everyday Things Don Norman

A Civic Technologist’s Practice Guide Cyd Harrell

Design Practices: “Nothing about Us without Us” Sasha Costanza-Chock

Public Matters 2021

On May 13, the Evans School community convened for Public Matters 2021. We heard from six amazing and dynamic storytellers as they shared their own reflections on this year’s theme, “Transforming Public Service.” Attendees were invited to listen and learn, and called upon to engage and commit to a new vision for anti-racist public service by sharing their gifts with the Evans School – whether they be time, experience, or financial gifts – as we build a community of reciprocity.

The inaugural Public Matters was a true celebration of the knowledge of our wider community. Watch the recording, learn more about our storytellers and their work, explore the takeaways, and join us as together we envision inclusively built societies powered by brave leadership, rigorous action, and collective wisdom.

Watch the Full Recording:

Our Public Matters Storytellers:

Priya D. Saxena, MPA (They/Them)

Founder + President of Equitable Future

Equitable Future is a strategic anti-racism and justice consulting firm that works with change makers across the Puget Sound region to reimagine and transform our communities. They do this by envisioning an unapologetically equitable future, unpacking white supremacy culture from our values, relationships, and institutions, telling bold truths to make strategic, fact-based decisions, and redistributing power to generate enduring, positive change. Priya is queer and nonbinary; they live in Tacoma with their partner, two cats, and growing houseplant collection.

Hear Priya's Story

Karen A. Johnson, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Director of the Washington State Office of Equity

Appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to this post in February, 2021, Johnson’s office will work with WA agencies to increase access to equitable opportunities in order to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities. Dr. Johnson has worked for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and serves as adjunct faculty at The Evergreen State College, teaching courses in dismantling racism and identifying bias in public service settings for the master of public administration program. She holds both a PhD and Master of Public Administration.

Hear Karen's Story

Amanda Lee (They/Them)

Volunteer Field Director at The Heron’s Nest Outdoor

They are based out of Seattle, WA, on unceded Duwamish Territory. Both initiatives are focused on restorative justice through land restoration and sustainable education. Amanda is working collectively with The Duwamish Tribe and local community organizations to reimagine an equitable community powered future. Follow them on social media: @sharedspacesfoundation, @heronsnestoutdoor

Hear Amanda's Story

Sara Levin, MPA (She/Her)

Vice President of Community Services at United Way of King County

Sara thrives working across sectors, connecting communities and people to resources, and keeping racial equity central to her work. Her 30-year career in Seattle has offered exciting and varied experiences from direct service with Russian-speaking refugees, to a stop at the Evans School, then leadership roles in government and philanthropy, including an unforgettable opportunity in 2018 helping members of Pearl Jam amplify the issue of homelessness in King County.

Hear Sara's Story

Evan Cook, EMPA (He/Him)

Community advocate and leader in the City of Federal Way and surrounding areas.

As a philanthropist on a mission to heal the community, he founded Restoring Mindz LLC, a public speaking and clothing company. His mission is to rebuild this world through service and inspiration helping at risk youth find their purpose. Support his work, and follow him on Instagram: @Iam_evancook

Hear Evan's Story

Jodi Sandfort, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Dean and Professor at the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

Jodi Sandfort, joined the Evans School as dean in January 2021. Her work focuses on improving the implementation of social policy, particularly those policies designed to support low-income children and their families. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Public Administration, a distinguished honor recognizing her innovative leadership in the field. Dean Sandfort has worked as a consultant with national and statewide foundations, think tanks, and other nonprofit human service organizations.

Hear Jodi's Story

Dean’s Forum: Leading and Managing Anti-Racist Organizations

At the heart of the Evans School’s mission is a call to host community conversations that support and inspire public leaders, and our Dean’s Forum events have focused on the intersection of race and public policy. The series continued with a live conversation between Dr. Susan Gooden, Dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dr. Jodi Sandfort, Dean of the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington, as they discussed ways to advance anti-racist public administration and management.

Speakers

Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D., is dean and professor of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is an internationally recognized expert on social equity. Gooden is an elected fellow of the congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration and is past president of the American Society for Public Administration.

Dr. Jodi Sandfort joined the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance as dean in January 2021. Formerly a professor at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, her work focuses on improving the implementation of social policy, particularly those policies designed to support low-income children and their families.