S2 E36 Empowered Problem Solving and Empathy through Design Thinking - Alison Carson

Digication Scholars Conversations

Part 1 of 2 Alison Carson is the Associate Provost for Academic Innovation and Design Thinking and a Professor of Psychology at Manhattanville College. In this Digication Scholars Conversation, Alison describes her role in promoting awareness and appreciation for design thinking among the faculty and students of Manhattanville, and describes the school’s newly created certificate in design thinking. While acknowledging the challenges of fostering understanding and willingness to adopt new methods, her commitment to design thinking continually leads to innovative teaching and student success across an array of disciplines. Alison and host Kelly Driscoll discuss a number of these successes, including the school’s Atlas program, incorporating ePortfolio into advising, and a recent marketing capstone bringing in four female entrepreneurs to mentor students. Throughout, Alison emphasizes the importance of empathy throughout the design process. “If you’re trying to … solve a particular problem, you have to understand the problem from the point of view of the person who’s actually experiencing that problem.”