Every one of us, at some point in life, deals with major loss, and the grief of losing. Whatever form this loss takes, we know it often feels like an alienating and lonely experience. But loss is social — and so is healing.

Researchers Catherine Woodiwiss and Denise Dicks are embarking on a year-long project to help fill the gaps in our social discourse and our institutional systems around healing from loss. In this session, they will share their process and learnings, as well as a prototype in its early stages.

Together, we’ll ask questions like: How might we ethically and sensitively structure design process around vulnerable experiences? How can co-design help reach further into our collective problems, and our collective healing? And can the design process, itself, help provide healing? In this session, you will get to:

• Learn some tips and best practices for structuring and leading a design jam on vulnerable, personal topics

• Learn some frameworks for engaging other disciplines (like science) in the design process

• Engage with, and offer feedback and insights on, a big problem statement and theory of change around design + healing and vulnerability

• Interact with and provide feedback on an early prototype for social healing

Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Zoom link will be sent to everyone who registers through Meetup.