User Experience: Research & Prototyping

Dr. Liz Gerber is an Associate Professor of Design at Northwestern University, where she also serves as the Director of the Design Research Cluster and the Faculty Founder of Design for America (DFA). A globally recognized expert in innovation, technology, and collaboration, Dr. Gerber has worked with numerous premier organizations, including Fortune Global 500 companies and philanthropic institutions. She co-developed DFA’s Leadership Studio, an annual summit for leaders in social innovation, and co-founded the design and business initiative at Stanford University's renowned "d.school." Dr. Gerber is committed to social impact through design, serving as an advisor to the Family Action Network and on the steering committee for Northwestern’s Center for Civic Engagement. Her contributions to scholarship and leadership have earned her several accolades, including recognition by Crain’s Businessweek as one of Chicago’s 40 Next Generation of Leaders. Dr. Gerber holds a Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering and a M.S. in Product Design from Stanford University, along with a B.A. in Art and Engineering from Dartmouth College.

Scott Klemmer is a distinguished Professor of Cognitive Science and Computer Science & Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he also serves as the co-founder and Associate Director of the Design Lab. Prior to his tenure at UCSD, he was an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, where he co-directed the Human-Computer Interaction Group. Klemmer's research focuses on human-centered design and interaction, and he is known for his contributions to open-source design tools and curricula that are utilized by organizations worldwide. He played a pivotal role in introducing peer assessment in online education, having taught the first peer-assessed online course.With a robust academic background, including a dual BA in Art-Semiotics and Computer Science from Brown University and an MS and PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, Klemmer has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, receiving multiple awards for his work in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). His influence extends beyond academia; many of his former graduate students have become leading figures in their fields. Klemmer's commitment to advancing design education is evident through his courses on Coursera, such as "Human-Centered Design: an Introduction" and "User Experience: Research & Prototyping," aimed at equipping learners with essential skills in design principles and methodologies.