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Thursday, October 7, 2021, 4-5pm ET

The unfolding epidemics and crises of the last year and a half provide stark reminders that no person or setting is ever safe from the impacts of traumas. Now more than ever, it’s critical for us as researchers to anticipate and plan for the realities of trauma as it emerges in our work (and in ourselves). Join us for a discussion of how the panelists came to embrace trauma-informed practices and how they have led to changes in the way we approach our work. Being trauma-informed and -responsive is not a destination but rather a constant state of becoming. You’ll leave with the information you need to start this journey in your own practice.

About our speakers:

Matt Bernius’ work focuses on applying concepts from the social sciences and design to help create more equitable government systems and experiences. He’s currently a Principal User Researcher on Code for America’s “Clear my Record” program, which focuses on automating the sealing of criminal records. Prior to joining CfA he worked at Measures for Justice and at Effective, a UX agency. Matt holds a Master’s degree in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in New Media Publishing from RIT, and was a PhD student in Cultural Anthropology at Cornell University.

Sarah Fathallah is an independent designer, researcher, and educator, who specializes in applying participatory research and design to the social sector, with impact-driven clients like the International Domestic Workers Federation, the International Rescue Committee, and Open Society Foundations, to name a few. Sarah is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris, where they studied International Business and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Affairs. Sarah also studied design innovation at the Paris Est d.school, User Experience design at General Assembly, and participatory design at MIT.

Hera Hussain is the Founder and CEO of CHAYN – a global nonprofit that creates resources on the web to address gender-based violence. Chayn’s multilingual resources, designed with–not for–survivors, have reached more than 400 000 people. Raised in Pakistan and living in the UK, Hera knew from early on she wanted to focus on violence against women. She believes in using the power of open source technology, trauma-informed design and hope-filled framing to solve the world’s pressing issues. Hera was on the Forbes 30 Under 30 and MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 list.

Jessica Zeroual is a Research & Human-Centered Design Advisor in the Office of the Chief Human Resource Officer’s Research & Experimentation Team at the Treasury Board Secretariat. Previously, Jessica was a Research Advisor in the Innovation Lab at Employment and Social Development Canada and the department’s Innovation Fund Advisor. She has experience working directly with Canadians, organizations and public servants to generate insights and meaningful solutions. Jessica’s approach is to create safe spaces for all by applying a trauma-informed approach. She approaches challenge spaces using approaches that puts people first, amplifying the voices of users every step of the way.