Megan Cackett

Sr. UX Researcher

I’m a mixed-methods researcher (qualitative and quantitative), passionate about understanding how people are impacted by products and spaces, and how data can inform and optimize these experiences 🚀

🛠️ Work Experience

✨ Project Highlights

Public project highlights include working on Google's Wearables team to launch smart headphones and watches, developing an AR strategy for event-based marketing, and working on workplace strategy at Boeing to reimagine their offices spaces for the next generation of work.

Google Pixel Buds

HF/UXR lead on the Pixel buds (Series A)

Led research that informed the form factor and audio smart features on the Pixel Buds Series A
Conducted 125+ UXR/HF studies during the full product development process
Developed audio experiences including: spatial audio, translate feature, quick commands
Published: Sound as an Interface, Methods to Evaluate Voice User Interface (VUI) Experiences in Various Contexts

AR Murals

Creative Strategist

1 of 3 employees at a startup production house (now Gate Reality)
Conducted foundational research & marketing pitches for using AR with artwork
Prototyped projects using ARCore and ARKit on applications of AR marketing & art
Led to the project: Augmented reality mural promotes launch of rap album

Boeing: Collaboration Spaces

Facility Analyst / Project Administrator

Won the Rosen Games College Edition (company-wide innovation competition), for a workplace strategy proposal
Built a partnership, and team with Boeing to continue project as my Master's thesis
Led survey & observational research across 3 locations, managed 2 research assistants
Published: Cubes to Collaboration: A Generational Divide In the Workplace (M.S. Thesis)

⚡ Passion Projects

I teach, mentor, and work on projects exploring emerging technologies and introducing design thinking to nonprofits.

🤖 Designing with emerging technology

🔵 Mentoring startups through Google for Startups Accelerator

Advise startups on UX, IoT, hardware development, and designing new human-tech interactions, including: EV charging, drone delivery, remote emergency vehicles, residential renewable energies, applying AI and automation to manufacturing and maintenance processes (since Feb. 2022).

🔵 Teaching a graduate course: Design of Smart Technologies (HCID 512-90)

In this course we look at design examples from science fiction and design iterations of the past to help design new digital and physical experiences across mediums and interfaces (visual, audio, haptic), teaching as an elective with the human-centered interaction design students at Harrisburg University.

🪴 Growing UX communities

🔵 Creating alternative educational experiences by connecting UX students to non-profits

Awarded the HU's Presidential Research Grant of $20,000 to create a program connecting UX students to local non-profits to get practical experience and have a positive social impact (project in progress).

🔵 Advisory board member: Master of Professional Studies in User Experience Design (MPS – UXD) at CCAD

The program is focused on addressing the future of UX design related to service design and retail, I help with program and student development.

🔎 Academic Research

HF/UX Researcher in 5 academic labs (over 5+ years). Topics ranged from applying emerging technology to creating organizational strategy, and included the end-to-end research process: scoping research, conducting literature reviews, running generative and evaluative research.

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Cornell Tech Social Technologies Lab

Conducting experiments in virtual environments (VR) using crowdsourced platforms (AMT).

→ Project: Web-based vr experiments powered by the crowd (medium article)

→ Publication: Web-based vr experiments powered by the crowd (ACM)

→ Presented the project at NYC Media Lab Demo Expo 2018

Fiber Science & Apparel Design

Part of a $2M+ grant from ARPA-E, research informed the product design of thermoregulated garments, taking the product from V1 ⟶ V2 ensuring product-market fit.

→ Project: Thermoregulatory Clothing System

→ Publication: Thermoelectric air conditioning undergarment for personal thermal management and HVAC energy saving (published after I left)

Integrated Workplace Strategies Lab

Evaluated the corporate workspaces, helping RAND move to an open office plan, and Boeing evaluate changes in it's workplace design.

→ Project: What Happens When RAND Rethinks its Workspace

→ Project: Cubes to Collaboration: A Generational Divide In the Workplace (M.S. Thesis)

CU Ergo Lab

Ergonomic evaluation of products, including: handheld products, wearable tech, appliances, and office furniture.

→ Publication: Effects of Active Sitting Chairs on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue

→ Publication: Effects of Active Versus Static Standing on Short-Duration Computer Task Performance, Postural Risks, Perceived Pain, Comfort and Fatigue

Design User Experience Technology Lab

Evaluating the response (through eye-tracking and facial tracking) of users having varying levels of control in virtual environments.