Interested in completing the Human-Centered Design (HCD) Foundations for Health Research Certification Training? Learn more below before filling out the registration form!

What is Human-Centered Design?

Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a structured yet flexible approach to problem solving that focuses on building empathy, sparking out-of-the-box thinking, and designing more innovative and impactful solutions. HCD methods are visual, participatory, egalitarian, and engaging.

Pitt CTSI's HCD certification training is led by CTSI staff who have been certified through the LUMA Institute to teach human-centered design.

What is the value of this training?

Researchers who have completed HCD training have found it highly beneficial, and report using HCD to refine and co-design interventions, uncover and address barriers to implementation, write innovative grants and manuscripts, and collect critical input from team members.

What is involved in HCD training?

To earn Foundations Certification, participants must complete the following:

  • Initial training sessions: 2 full days (if in-person) or 4 half-days (if virtually)
  • Virtual coaching sessions: 3 sessions, 2 hours each (held monthly after initial training)

The next training sessions will occur on October 7, 8, 10, & 11, 2024 from 10am-3pm and will be virtual. The coaching sessions for this training will be on November 7, 2024 from 10am-12pm, December 5, 2024 from 10am-12pm, and January 9, 2025 from 10am-12pm. You must attend at least 2 of the coaching sessions to receive certification. 

NOTE: The October 2024 training has reached capacity. The next training is expected to be in May 2025 (dates TBD) and will be in-person. Please complete the application below to be added to our waitlist. 

Who is eligible?

Any faculty or staff member of a research team at Pitt can apply to participate in HCD training. Preference will be given to people who:

  1. Are involved in health research
  2. Can articulate a compelling need/desire to develop HCD competencies

This training is appropriate for those who are interested in learning about the process of HCD in health research and getting hands-on experience trying a variety of different HCD methods for different phases of a design process. This training is particularly appropriate for those who are writing a grant using HCD for health research, just starting a new project, or coordinating a community collaborative undertaking a design process.

What commitment is required?

HCD training constitutes a significant investment on the part of the CTSI to be able to provide this certification free-of-charge for faculty and staff. It is also highly sought after, thus seats fill up quickly.

If you are selected and agree to participate, we expect you to commit to attending:

  • The full training
  • A minimum of two of the follow-up coaching sessions

We also encourage you to join our HCD Community in Teams to learn more about HCD opportunities, share resources, discuss strategies, get advice, and find collaborators!

Got questions? Contact Will Hierholzer at: wih22@pitt.edu.

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