The role of the designer in society becomes increasingly important as we face multifaceted and complex challenges such as increasingly burdened healthcare systems.   As designers, we are positioned to support this future, as we are comfortable with the ambiguous nature of these challenges, and are able to approach them from both a macro and a micro perspective. We must also have the sensitivity and critical thinking skills to challenge and transform systems which are not working, identifying who is being left out and why.

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In designing for healthcare transformation, I see a need for radical innovation. Incremental innovation builds and improves upon that which already exists, however, we have built our western systems of health innovations within the structures of technocratic patriarchy for so long that I think we must shift towards radical, meaning-driven innovation. I believe that design should not strip away the context and complexity of the beings we’re designing for, but rather celebrate the lived reality of people so as not to perpetuate systems of oppression. I am passionate about working towards a future where health technologies do not oppress, but rather act as tools of liberation.

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To do so, I believe that a feminist perspective should be integrated from the bottom up in all that we do, especially in practice and not just as an “academic add on”. We must question the fundamental assumptions which affect our designs, dedicating time to understanding the historical perspective of the context we are working on, drawing from social science, and asking who wrote the pervasive narrative? What was its purpose? By incorporating care, advocacy and trouble into our design processes, we can produce more equitable and value based outcomes for everyone.

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