SELECTED PROJECTS
I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of projects that address understanding and improving end‑of‑life experiences.
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As part of my work on Memorialization at Facebook, I conducted ethnographic research in Indonesia, India, and Mexico. This involved, in collaboration with local advisors, observing and participating in local rituals and interviewing community members and experts to learn about their beliefs and values around dying, grief and remembrance. It was a privilege to learn firsthand from people with such wide-ranging experiences and contexts, and expanded my perspective tremendously.
Product experiences I contributed to include the Tributes Section, a community space for honoring the deceased; the Legacy Contact feature, which enables users to appoint someone to manage their account in the event of their death; and a project using AI to prevent distressing experiences for the bereaved.
FEATURES + PRESS:
Keynote talk by VP of Design at 2019 F8 Conference
During my time as a Research Fellow with End Well, I conducted research on portrayals of death and dying on television. By shedding light on current depictions and envisioning the future of these representations, we were able to identify gaps and opportunities for how these stories can be expanded.
The published study, released with USC Annenberg Media Impact Project, encourages content creators to produce nuanced, vital, and diverse stories that shape our cultural narrative about end of life.
FEATURES + PRESS:
Read the full report, “Death On Television: Flipping The Script”
Deadline/ Psychology Today / NPR / Variety / SXSW Panel
I partnered with Type Books to create a death-positive window installation to invite reflection, conversation, and exploration. The display showcased examples of cross-cultural practices around death and remembrance, as well as ritual and symbolic objects. The goal was to represent the topic of death as a meaningful, natural, and often beautiful part of life.
Along with the display, I worked with Type to curate a selection of books for all ages for their bookshelves. The collection includes everything from practical guides on navigating loss, to beautifully illustrated and accessible stories for young readers.
FEATURES + PRESS:
Read my interview, “The Juncture Talks To The Nightside”
I co-host the podcast Sweet Valley Hive, a smart and silly discussion of the 1980s soapy young adult book series Sweet Valley High. Some of the episodes touch on themes of loss and grief.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.