Timeline:
4 Months
Project Type:
UX Course Project
Tools:
Mural, Google Forms, Slides, Docs
Team:
Lily, Marc, Daniel, Salil
Role/Tasks:
User Research, Empathizing, User Interviews, Insights, Pitching
Project Overview
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, or "EDI" is becoming an increasingly popular topic as it makes its way into university resources and policies. For a first-year user experience design thinking course, I was tasked to understand, research and increase awareness about EDI through student experiences at Wilfrid Laurier University.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
"How might we support Laurier students' positive experiences from an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion lens -creating conditions and opportunities for transformative learning while providing engaging, valuable, and meaningful experiences for students?"
DEFINING EDI
What does equity, diversity, and inclusion mean?
Equity:
people get access to the same resources to make an equal opportunity depending on their needs
Diversity:
recognizing, being respectful, and celebrating each other's differences depending on their needs
Inclusion:
an environment in which people feel valued, accepted, and welcomed
DESIGN THINKING PROCESS
BRAINSTORM
-Mind Maps
-Team Introductions
-Define user needs
SYNTHESIZE
-Finding common themes, patterns, and pain points
PITCH
-Create pitch
-Practice
-Present to judges
HOW MIGHT WE
-Creating value
-Meeting user needs
-Future considerations
RESEARCH
-User interviews
-Primary data collection
-Secondary Research
BRAINSTORM
Mural Mind Map
The first step of our design process was creating a team mind map using the tool "Mural." To view all details, zoom in and click on the interactive image.
PROJECT GOALS
Goal A:
Gain a stronger understanding of how much Laurier students and staff are aware of EDI in general
Goal B:
Gain a stronger understanding of how much Laurier students and staff are aware of EDI resources in general
Goal C:
Gain a stronger understanding of how much Laurier students and staff are aware of EDI resources specifically on campus
Goal D:
Understand how students approach treatment that is seen as “unfair”
ALARMING FINDINGS
If you are experiencing unfair treatment, would you find school resources and ask for help?
YES
NO
48.9%
51.1%
SEEKING HELP
The data shows that 48.9% of students would not ask for help. Essentially, around 50% or half of the respondents felt that if they were experiencing unfair treatment, they wouldn’t seek help. We could assume that students aren’t aware of where to get help. However, 80% of students reported they could normally find information about Laurier resources.
HOW MIGHT WE STATEMENTS
​"How Might We" Group Statement Creation:
​
How might we direct users to Laurier's EDI resources in a smooth and easy manner?
How might we amplify access points that drive users to engage with student services at universities?
​
How might we implement more accessible ways for students to access and report EDI resources and concerns through Laurier channels?
How might we encourage users to seek out support and/or access EDI resources?