Blend of skills in HCI, linguistics, psychology and education
Journey of research
I'm fascinated by humans and why they do the things they do.
People have described me as empathetic, intelligent, creative, sharp, and affable, but if you ask me to boil the adjectives down to their core, I'd say I just really like to listen, observe, perceiving nuances, and think. I also have quite a talent in learning.
Since 2009, I undertook lots of teaching, research, interpretation, translation, and management roles across the globe—13 cities, 6 countries, 3 continents—which demanded considerable degrees of expertise in varied disciplines and contexts. A decade of this fostered my passion for complex problem-solving, for helping people to set and achieve goals, and for creating experiences to inspire and change lives.
In 2020, I co-founded my EdTech startup, integrating user research to inform decisions. I worked cross-functionally to collaborate with teams of engineers, filmmakers, designers, and academics to guide our product from concept to launch. I have since committed myself to a UX journey, to which I'm bringing my unique blend of knowledge and skillset built along the way.
My approach and philosophy
To me, the ultimate benefit of research is that it breaks down any issues or relationships to make room for thinking—to simplify, to provide a direction where stakeholders may channel their creativity more effectively.
I think and ask about 'why' constantly, looking at established models, frameworks, and definitions of 'progress' or 'success' with a critical eye.
I don't subscribe to solutionism.
I strive to adopt methods of strategic usefulness and validity thinking about contexts, to break limits and generate actionable insights while evaluating my own biases, and to evolve with the fast-paced world of experience design.
Communication, respect, and transparency are at the core of my philosophy. I root my partnership and leadership in encouraging people to understand each other, to consider user, business and social perspectives in tackling challenges.
I care deeply about research ethics and design justice. I hope, by building systems that are inclusive and just, I will contribute to driving long-term positive impacts and make society a better place.
Outside of work
A desire to deeply experience, understand and appreciate the people, cultures, languages and worlds around/into which I was born has fuelled my adventurous spirit. You can find me hiking in the breathtaking landscape of the Alps, strolling down the quaint streets of Kyoto, collecting dry forest wood near a Český cottage, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, exploring a mysterious and stunning Thai cave, practising yoga by the Whistler Lost Lake, or admiring a cathedral on a Piazza del Duomo—always with a book in the backpack, thoughts on the mind and music in the heart.
When I'm not traveling on a foreign territory, you can find me taking dance classes, cooking, baking, playing an instrument, doing some form of sports, reading, writing, watching films, going to musicals, singing or learning a new language. I love the colours of nature, sunshine, the sounds of leaves rustling and ocean waves, the smell of rain, and good food.
119 & 30
cities & countries visited
30 & 6
countries visited & lived
