Behavioral Science in Human-centered Design with Christina Hanschke — DT101 E139

Christina Hanschke's career journey has spanned many diverse roles. She's been a music therapist, nanny, and UX researcher, and she’s currently a Design Lead at Final Mile, where she applies a multidisciplinary approach to address pressing societal changes, drawing from behavioral science, human-centered design, and systems thinking. As an adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Christina extends her passion for leveraging behavioral science in human-centered design to the next generation of innovators fostering a diverse culture of curiosity and continual learning. Christina and I talk about behavioral science, design for global health, and the importance of learning design.

Listen to learn about:
>> Behavioral science in healthcare
>> Final Mile’s work in the global health space
>> Collaboration and co-creation with clients
>> Team facilitation

Our Guest
Christina's career journey, spanning diverse roles as a music therapist, nanny, and UX researcher, lays the groundwork for her current position as a Design Lead at Final Mile. Here, she applies a multidisciplinary approach to address pressing societal challenges, drawing from behavioral science, human-centered design, and systems thinking. She has had the privilege of collaborating with and supporting the efforts of community champions, local partners and ministries to address complex challenges such as HIV and vaccine hesitancy (COVID-19 and HPV). 

Additionally, as an adjunct faculty at DePaul University, Christina extends her passion for leveraging behavioral science in human-centered design to the next generation of innovators, fostering a culture of curiosity and continual learning.

When she isn’t reading on the couch with her dogs, Christina finds joy in making music with friends.

Show Highlights
[02:38] Christina’s career started in music therapy, working with children, before becoming a nanny while going to graduate school at DePaul.
[03:44] Moving into UX research in business.
[04:01] Christina’s role at Final Mile.
[04:44] Working in the global health arena.
[05:27] Christina and her team’s work on vaccine hesitancy.
[08:38] Working with different countries and cultures.
[11:30] Dawan and Christina talk about handling power dynamics in their work.
[13:49] How Christina helps the people she’s working with to see value in the work.
[14:51] Using social learning and group work to encourage engagement and let them experience the value first-hand.
[17:54] Christina offers advice for facilitators.
[22:12] Behavioral science is understanding how people make decisions.
[22:33] The complicated behavioral challenges in the healthcare space.
[23:50] Understanding the “intent to action” gap.
[25:13] How starting a new project looks for Christina’s team.
[27:28] Co-creating and prototyping behavioral interventions with the people living the health issue.
[29:05] Using visualizations to quickly capture ideas and tell stories.
[31:36] Giving adults permission to be creative and curious.
[32:33] Christina asks Dawan about how he incorporates play into his work.
[34:29] Getting people to practice listening early on in an event or project.
[36:34] Other ways to get participants to connect and engage.
[39:32] Helping people get comfortable with discomfort.
[42:09] One thing Christina really enjoyed about working with teams in Kenya.
[46:30] There’s no single way to do design thinking.
[47:17] Christina’s experiences teaching graduate students about behavioral science and UX.
[50:21] Working with clients should be a collaborative relationship.
[52:25] Avoiding overcomplication of the process.
[56:27] Resources Christina recommends and that have helped her in her