Leah Spalding
Leah Spalding
Assistant Professor of UX Design, Western Kentucky University
Leah is an Assistant Professor of User Experience Design at Western Kentucky University, where she leads the Interface Design and Experience Analysis (IDEA) Lab. Leah’s recent work focuses on the intersection of UX design and citizen science. A self-proclaimed introvert by nature, collaboration isn’t part of her comfort zone—but she knows it’s critical for the future of UX. She's passionate about advocating for UX in her community, exploring speculative design with her students, and all things corgis.
Using Citizen Science & Design to Better Measure the Sun: A Blueprint for Collaborative Research
This presentation is a case study on SunSketcher, an app designed to take pictures of total solar eclipses. Widespread use of the app generates a database of images that, when analyzed together, allow scientists to map the shape of the Sun. SunSketcher is supported by NASA and produced by a transdisciplinary team of 20+ instructors and students.
SunSketcher is more than a science project. It’s about taking a complex, obscure question and transforming it into an engaging, accessible experience for the public. The project is a testament to the transformative relationship between UX design and citizen science; it also shows how collaborative research is the blueprint for success in UX education.