PhD Candidate Emma van Asch seeks public sector design thinkers

Te Kura Hoahoa—School of Design Innovation PhD student, Emma, is seeking feedback from public sector employees and consultants who have experience with ‘Design Thinking’ practices for her research project.

11 December 2023

Born out of Design Science, Design Research, and Participatory Design, Design Thinking has many definitions covering various disciplines. It is considered a mindset, a methodology and a set of tools that encourages collaborative processes with emphasis on understanding how people think, feel, and behave to approach problems, design solutions, and improve experiences.

Emma is exploring how Design Thinking is utilised in Aotearoa’s public sector, with the hopes that this will enable a more cohesive design strategy in the sector.

“Through a greater understanding of the use and impact of Design Thinking in Aotearoa New Zealand’s public service institutions, I hope we can enable a more cohesive strategy for design in our public sector, mitigating common barriers to contribute towards improved experience and outcomes for the public.”

Emma is welcoming those with experience working with, or in, Aotearoa New Zealand’s public sector who are, or have been, involved with Design Thinking practices to answer an online survey about their experience and perspectives.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, the answers remain anonymous to the researcher, and participants can request a copy of the final thesis and participate in interviews if they wish.

The survey responses will inform Emma’s thesis, Design Thinking in the Aotearoa Public Service, as well as academic publications and conference presentations.

Emma is particularly interested in exploring the tensions and correlations between the western frameworks of Design Thinking and the indigenous frameworks, such as Kaupapa Māori.

“The intersections between these frameworks are central to the ways the public sector approach problems and for New Zealanders now and in the future.”

Emma’s interest in Design Thinking began when she completed a Master of User Experience Design in 2019 and became a user experience designer at ACC New Zealand.

“I chose the Master of User Experience Design degree because it offered me the opportunity to develop academically and was extremely practical, meaning I had enough experience to be confident in user experience design upon graduating.”

“Now as a public servant, I am personally invested in the effectiveness of our public services, the role that Design Thinking plays currently, and what it could be in the future.”

Emma’s research supervisors are Senior Lecturer in Communication Design Dr Catherine Caudwell and Lecturer in Media Design Interaction Design Dr Gillian McCarthy.

Dr Catherine Caudwell says that Emma’s research not only helps us to better understand the role of design thinking in public service, but also details the specific activities, methods and beliefs that define design thinking itself.

“As a relatively recent phenomenon in government, now is a good time to capture the practice of design thinking, and understand the public outcomes that it can, and can’t deliver.”

Her research topic has led Emma to meet a cross-section of designers and public servants who use Design Thinking.

“Public servants are very passionate about serving the public and see Design Thinking as one way of encouraging collaborative practices to approach problems and improve processes, products, services, and experiences for, and with, people.

“Everyone has been incredibly inspiring and helpful. I have learnt a lot from them.”