Who I Am
Hi! I’m a mixed methods researcher who loves to identify and prioritize complex behaviors and translate them into actionable product insights. With a background in K-12 education, non-profits, and libraries, I think at the system-level, recognizing where individual wants and needs map onto a broader web of interactions.
Experience
Experience Researcher (August 2017 – Present)
EchoUser
–Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research for a variety of clients, using methods including usability testing, interviews, surveys, and workshop facilitation, among others
–Collaborate with colleagues to guide research plans and execution in complex and ambiguous environments
–Created and lead a Design Justice Reading Circle to facilitate conversation about equitable design, and evangelize best practices in Universal Design, accessibility, and inclusion
University Library Associate (August 2015 – June 2017)
University of Michigan Library
– Deliver reference services in-person and virtually, teach information literacy classes
– Conduct research and create toolkit for increasing accessibility and inclusivity of library instruction
UX Research Consultant (January 2017 – April 2017)
Data Driven Detroit
– Created interaction map; conducted interviews; researched and wrote competitive analysis report; designed, distributed and analyzed results of a survey; crafted and tested heuristic evaluation; and constructed and moderated several usability tests to holistically understand the pain points and pathways for change for a small data company’s website
UX Research Lead (September 2016 – December 2016)
City of Ferndale, MI
– Used contextual inquiry and user centered practices to research, design and build an SMS chat bot (using Twilio) called Rat Chat to connect users and city staff of Ferndale
– Worked collaboratively with an engineer, municipal employees, city residents, academic advisors, and team members to conceptualize and implement Rat Chat
SI 501 – Contextual Inquiry and Consulting Foundations, Client Contact (June 2016 – August 2016)
University of Michigan School of Information
– Coordinated clients for this master’s level class in contextual inquiry and consulting
– Communicated with potential clients and scoped projects for semester-long engagement
Education
M.S. Information, HCI (2017)
University of Michigan
B.A. History & Gender and Women’s Studies (2012)
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Presentations & Publications
(see more about select presentations here)
Hirschtritt, D. and Patterson, B. “Case Studies in Web Accessibility” QuasiCon Conference, March 11, 2017.
Hirschtritt, D. “From I-75 to the Web: Investigating the Highways of Detroit’s Digital Services.” World Information Architecture Day – Ann Arbor, February 18, 2017.
Hirschtritt, D. and Settoducato, E. “Making Frameworks Work: Using the ACRL Framework and Common Core Standards to Ease the Transition from High School to College.” MIX Conference, August 5, 2016. URL: bit.ly/ccssACRL.
Hirschtritt, D. and Steelberg, T. “Learning to Teach: How MLIS Students Become Information Literacy Instructors.” LOEX Conference, May 6, 2016. URL: hdl.handle.net/2027.42/118064.