SPECULATE > CREATE > CONTEMPLATE > EVALUATE
Elena Sabinson
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Design at the University of Colorado Boulder. My research operates at the boundaries of design, psychology, and emerging technologies. I received a PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University. My doctoral research was completed in the Architectural Robotics Lab, where I worked on bio-informed, soft robotic surfaces embedded in the environment to support emotional wellbeing. Prior to Cornell, I was an Assistant Teaching Professor at Drexel University in the department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, where I taught design visualization and studio courses. At Drexel, I also worked in the Design Futures Lab, exploring speculative and critical design, computational design, and digital fabrication processes. With a background in philosophy and creative writing, my passion for storytelling and ethics still guides my work. I am fascinated with novel technologies and how to mindfully implement technological interactions in the environment so that they increase self-awareness and wellbeing. As a neurodivergent researcher (AuDHD), I am passionate about neurodiversity and design. I aim to use research and design to help all people flourish in the environment across the full spectrum of human experiences.
eDUCATION
PhD 2023
Human Behavior & Design
Cornell University
MS 2015
Interior Architecture & Design
Drexel University
BA 2008
Philosophy & Creative Writing
Binghamton University