Research Assistant (Qualitative) - DHW Lab

Research Assistant - Design for Health and Wellbeing Lab (DHW Lab)

The Design for Health and Wellbeing Lab (DHW Lab) is a new dynamic research collaboration between AUT University and the Auckland District Health Board (ADHB). The aims of the Lab include establishing and developing a community of interdisciplinary design-led research to developing products, services, systems and experiences for improved health and wellbeing of our population.

A fixed term position is available for Research Assistant to undertake design-led research to support the aims and objectives of the lab.

• Provide support on research projects
• Contribute to data collection; this will include help with recruitment and management of research participants, conducting fieldwork, interviews, data collection, processing data (field notes, transcriptions) and literature reviews.

• Contribute to data analysis. 
• Produce reports of the work conducted in both written and spoken forms, including manuscript preparation.  
• Develop understanding of how design tools and processes work to create potential for innovation
• Participate in multi-person, multi-disciplinary research and development projects involving designers, researchers, clinicians, and administration staff from AUT and ADHB.
• Other research related work as required

The successful applicants will work in partnership with others in the lab to carry out design projects, tasks and activities associated with the DHWLab. Applicants must be able to multi-task, be flexible in their working hours and have excellent interpersonal skills along with being empathetic and compassionate. A postgraduate (masters or higher) qualification in appropriate research is required:

• A background in one of the following areas: Sociology, Nursing, Health Psychology, Anthropology; Organisation Studies; Science and Technology Studies; Design.
• A Masters degree is preferred.
• Understanding of Ethnographic / Design research.
• Self-motivated but also have ability to provide meaningful contributions and work well in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Closing Date: 3 August 2016, 5.00pm

See the job link here

Farewell Kim!

As a second year exchange student coming from the UK it was great to have the opportunity to be involved in such a forward thinking studio on the other side of the world. I have had the time of my life in New Zealand, and by studying and travelling here I have not only learnt more about myself as a person, but developed a real sense of who I am as a designer.

Being a part of the DHW Lab has been such a rewarding and insightful experience. Through my studies at AUT I have learnt that I am particularly interested in design for society, environmental design and designing with positive change in mind. I believe that the DHW Lab underpins all of these interests, and has really helped to develop my knowledge and skill set. 

In the future I hope to set up my own design studio, and I am sure that I will think back to your studio in Auckland hospital, and what a great collaborative space it is. I have enjoyed working alongside people in healthcare professions, and with people of different design backgrounds. The DHW Lab really is something amazing!

The whole experience of being in New Zealand has truly outdone any expectations I had prior to coming. I have absolutely loved exploring and learning in this beautiful country. I am excited to return to Leeds for the final year of my degree with having had new experiences, insights and developing a fresh outlook on design.

A massive thank you to the team at DHW Lab for having me and being so friendly and welcoming, keep doing what you do! I will no doubt be back in New Zealand as there is still so much exploring to be done, but for now I will look forward to seeing Steve and Reid on the other side in Sheffield!

All the best! 

CHUR DHW LAB_You were sweet as

On my first day in Auckland, I ran from Central city all the way down to Onehunga weaving through future favourite spots including Mt. Eden and down by Tamaki drive. It turned out lot more complex of a route than I initially intended or anticipated, with a total of more than (an accidental) fifteen miles, but I emerged with both a sense of accomplishment, navigation of the city, and potential areas I wanted to explore more.

This first long run of Auckland can be used as a direct metaphor for my time here at the lab. What was initiated with a fear of the unknown, fear of the struggles of working in the hospital and the unforeseen obstacles quickly turned into an adventure I will never forget. Tasked with gaining a better understanding of the perception of the lab from outside stakeholders as well as a better sense of the opportunities for design-led innovation in the ADHB and healthcare in general, I had absolutely no clue what I would find, or if I would even enjoy the discovery process.

Before the project had started, I only had rote knowledge and a general sense (even general sense may be too generous) of what the lab actually was. Just as my mental map of the city developed and bloomed in detail during my run, my understanding of the purpose, function, and general positioning of the lab began to colour in as well. The further I ran, the more interviews I did, the more time I spent in the lab, the more confident I became that the process would not be futile, and could begin to push down around the boundaries of the shape of the city and my understanding of the lab.

Research aside, my time in the DHW lab has been invaluable. The space and environment that Justin and Steven have worked tirelessly to create is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been and offers unprecedented respite from the typical hospital environment. Physically beautiful, the lab is also a hub of exuberant energy and excitement because of the people within.

My desk is my own view from the top of Mt. Eden-- from the crate I use to make my desk taller, I can look down literally on Eden herself, slaving away at Wayfinding, while still finding the time to keep me up to date on the next indie brunch spot or join me to fuel my newfound addiction to long blacks. I have Byron, the gangster gentleman, to my right, who while juggling two jobs and his masters will still crack up whenever I look for comic relief and sends over rap music from the decades to keep me musically well educated. Further in the distance is hipster row of Josh and Nick-- who regularly wear matching outfits and enjoy scratching their chins while offering their unique opinions of the world. Nick in particular helped formulate my annoyingly pretentious coffee selection in Auckland as well as a comparison of burger places in both the states and auckland. A short jump away from hipster row is the corner of maturity, housing Anushka, who is actually responsible for the lab staying up and running, planning events, and making sure we get there, with perky personality complemented by a don’t-take-s**t that reminds me of my best friends back home in LA. Ivana also joins Anushka in the corner of responsibility, cooking up delicious treats and ways to encourage patient interaction and feedback. In direct line with the basketball hoop on the wall is arguably the go-to man of the lab, Reid. It is no coincidence that you can see him from any spot inside, as his cool attitude, thoughtfulness, and hard-working attitude serves as a daily reminder of what we are trying to do here. The other factor being a straight shot to the basketball hoop next to hipster row, for the occasional mid-afternoon shoot around, where the creatives assess their coordination skills to a varying degree of success.

It would be remiss not to mention the others working in the lab, on more of the North Shore side of the room, on equally important work prototyping and designing. The work done by students like Antonio has blown me away in terms of quality and his maturity handling exploratory work with an attitude of attack and personal drive. Olivia offers an example of how passion and curiosity is a beautiful contagion within the workplace. You would be lacking a full description if you could not also mention the beautiful illustration work done by Emma and the newbie Cassie blowing everyone away with her work ethic and skill. One of the coastal residents is Mal, who tirelessly works on finding support and driving projects forwards in incredible increments.

Finally, Steve and Justin, the sky towers of the view. These two band leaders, Steve literally so, cannot help but let their love and hope for the lab shine through their realism, internal battles of working in a large organisation, and working enough for a whole team alone. Without their full trust that I would not botch up these interviews, that I would acclimate to a new environment, and that my research would prove to be worth their gamble, there is no chance I would have had such a fulfilling experience.

These people, these little neighbourhoods of the lab, welcomed me from the instant I stepped in the door, and have become familiar havens during my journey. It is possible that I could have done the dry research itself without them, but it is impossible to even begin to imagine that I would have enjoyed it. The people in this lab, so driven to make their mark and change the complex experience of healthcare have defined my time in the DHW and are the main reason I want to return.

Just as at the end of long run on that first day, I am exhausted: I’ve seen almost too much to mentally digest. It will be good to take a step back and be able to fully appreciate my experience, but I know it won’t be long before I miss the place and people terribly.

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to be here and experience the enigmatic of the lab and people within-- I will not forget it.

Don’t be too gutted-- I’ll be back!

Love,

Jaye

Stemme

Eden Short was recently published in the second launch of Stemme that took place last week.  Stemme is known to be a space for dialogue and discussion and a new edition is launched annually. Stemme focuses on inspiring the formation of collectives and collaborations within the design community it strives to probe beyond established design disciplines, challenging current design discourse, and ultimately enriching it.

Eden’s article was a featured in the new edition of Stemme this year it illustrated the ideologies behind the lab. It demonstrates the importance of engaging staff, family , patients and visitors when it comes to designing meaningful and useful solutions within a hospital.

Eden highlights the value of the lab by saying in her article that “building on relationships and connecting projects streams, we are thinking about not only how the project will work well within the brief, but also how it fits into the diverse ecosystem that is Auckland DHB. We’re not just designing for problems in the present, but how they fit but our future hospital”.

Bittersweet end to the week!

This week at the Lab has been full on and extremely busy for everyone, there has been so much happening! 

On Monday our postgraduate students did a 3 minute presentation on the projects they are working on and the progress so far. The attendees to the event included a mix of AUT and ADHB staff. There was fantastic feedback from the groups that attended and was great to see all the projects together. 

It has been a bittersweet end of the week for us at the Lab. Today we say goodbye to Emme Jacob our amazing Graphic Designer!

Emme joined last year and has been a really valuable part of the team, contributing to a lot of great changes in the Lab.  While there have been many highlights some stand outs include Auckland DHB Values branding and retail pharmacy work done with Josh.  

Emme has tackled everything with real energy and enthusiasm. The Lab would like to thank you for your hard work and dedication.  Your energy and love for what you do will be missed by the team! 

We wish you all the very best in the UK and good luck completing your masters! As much as we will miss you here at the Lab, we know this is a great opportunity and we can't wait to hear about it! We are super excited for you and your new adventure! 

We are hiring: Graphic Designer

We are currently looking for a new Graphic/Communication Designer to join our team, this role is a one year fixed term.  We need someone that is excited about contributing to a collaborative and mixed disciplined team. The role requires compassion, empathy and strong relationship building skills as you will be interacting with hospital staff, patients and families.

Down to the nitty gritty of the role!

Must haves include:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign

Ideals for the role:

• After effects
• Web/coding
• Film/photography

If interested in social design and want role that helps benefit the community, while having the opportunity to work on various projects which include:

• Wayfinding
• Branding
• Information design
• Typography/Iconography
• Public design
• UX/UI Design
• Print design
• Film

If you have a couple years of Graphics/Communication design experience, have a sharp eye for detail and want a role that has the feel good factor this is for you!

Please visit the AUT careers site today! 

Applications close on Friday 29th April 2016, 5.00pm.