Consultant, Researcher, Educator

The world is deeply relational, even in realms of technology.

I bring a humanistic impulse to the search for answers to complex human questions

… and to the decisions, strategies and Solutions for responding to them.

With years of research and design experience in the areas of mobility, automation, work and learning, I thrive at the intersection between making ideas and making things. Most recently I have been focusing on the development of autonomous vehicles.

My insights draw from deep study of people in their everyday lives, long time engagement with complex technology development, and from my training in anthropology.

I delight in working with people to advance meaningful futures, both inside of their organizations and through the knowledge, products and services they put into the world.

Select links to learn more about me, my thinking and my work.

Opinion

A misguided attack on the liberal arts” | OpEd with Tara Schwegler | 2023

The problem with jobs” | with Ilana Gershon | 2017

Media

Understanding Autonomous Vehicles from the Pedestrian’s Perspective” | Designing for Movement: The UX for Mobiity Podcast | 2023

Design is [Autonomous] - In Conversation with Ryan Powell, Melissa Cefkin, and Wendy Ju | 2019

Profiles

Melissa Cefkin / A Profile

Melissa Cefkin: Une Anthropologue chez les ingenieurs

Google scholar and patents

Whatever your needs, let’s talk!

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