Using Human-Centered Design Thinking to Teach Transferable Skills with Caleb McKinney, Ph.D.

An episode of the When Science Speaks podcast, hosted by mark bayer, Caleb McKinney,, titled "Using Human-Centered Design Thinking to Teach Transferable Skills with Caleb McKinney, Ph.D." was published on May 22, 2020 and runs 21 minutes.

May 22, 2020 ·21m · When Science Speaks

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Episode Description

Human-centered design thinking has always been a widely applicable field of study and implementation. Design thinking has begun to change how we approach research and data analysis from facilitators to design sprints and creating conversations that promote change and understanding of an issue. Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., utilizes the power of design thinking to track the progress and success of graduates while integrating methods on how to help them thrive in a postdoctoral world.

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., is the Assistant Dean to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Training and Development at Georgetown University Medical Center. He also serves as the Assistant Professor for the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Director of Academy for Transferable Management Skills at Georgetown University. He previously worked as a Training Specialist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, where he planned, managed, and executed an independent laboratory research project under the program of the DNA Tumor Virus Section Chief.

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., received his doctorate in Philosophy and Microbiology with a specialization in virology from the NYU School of Medicine Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences. He is currently working on his Masters of Professional Studies in Design Management and Communications from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and he received his bachelor's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Cornell University.

What You'll Hear On This Episode of When Science Speaks

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., shares his perspective on the current pandemic as a Ph.D. in microbiology specializing in virology

Making use of qualitative and quantitative measurements of engagement to weave data and narrative together in marketing communications

Caleb gives an overview of the Academy of Transferable Management Skills, A.T.M.S. and how they bridge the needs of stakeholders in career development and graduates

Using design thinking as a tool for improvement and refinement.

Connect with Caleb McKinney, Ph.D.

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D. on LinkedIn

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D. at Georgetown University

The Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement of Engagement

How do you gauge the impact of your marketing campaign at a university level? What metrics are you using to measure and translate your data about students and their academic careers, and how are you using these data to help them in their plans after graduation? It isn't as simple as pressing a button but with the right questions on demographic, social channels, and defining objectives, the results will be able to provide useful and reliable data that can help address the concerns and needs of graduate students.

Caleb McKinney, Ph.D., uses a human-centered design thinking approach to gauge effectively how graduate students relate to transferable skills and the importance of their desire to pursue postdoctoral outcomes. His data allow him to craft programs that help students grow in their essential professional skills in multiple areas.

Enhancing the Narrative Through Data Points

Data have always been incredibly helpful in creating a convincing narrative that allows others to draw inspiration and insight from someone else's experience. It concretizes the possibilities that come after the conclusion of their doctoral studies and gives them an idea of how these options can turn out for them should they choose to pursue them. These data points provide a significant amount of resources to track and measure how the narrative impacts the student's overall development. By providing relatable stories for students and generating a response from them, it becomes possible to create programs that will enable them to use their transferable and marketable skills in broadening their horizons post-graduation.

Weaving a narrative that utilizes qualitative and quantitative methods of measurement has allowed Dr. McKinney to navigate the barrier that separates students from the world beyond postdocs. He is able to connect graduates with an overview of what employers look for and they are able to get a better grasp of how they apply their skills in their field of study to further their career growth.

Learn more about Caleb McKinney, Ph.D.on this week's episode of When Science Speaks.