A  Design PhD student's exploratory academic journey: experience report of a solo trip to Canada

Maria Lilian de Araújo Barbosa; Maria Lúcia Leite Ribeiro Okimoto; Andrew Sixsmith

doi:10.5433/2236-2207.2025.v16.n2.50436

Authors

Maria Lilian de Araújo Barbosa Universidade Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5438-9061
Maria Lúcia Leite Ribeiro Okimoto Universidade Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1968-1964
Andrew Sixsmith Simon Fraser University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5402-2975

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/2236-2207.2025.v16.n2.50436

Keywords:

experience report, women researchers, Age-Well

Abstract

The focus of the report is on learning and applications for doctoral research. To this end, it presents the experiences of a doctoral student in design traveling alone to Canada. The methodology used was an experience report to three Canadian cities between October and November 2022, during the doctoral program. The trip included participation in scientific events, meetings with research groups, technical visits and exchange of experiences with researchers and local social organizations. The results are presented as practical and relevant research questions, based on the cities visited and the researcher's perspective. It ends with a discussion of possible paths for women researchers.

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Author Biographies

Maria Lilian de Araújo Barbosa, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Doctoral student in Design at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), researching the integration of digital assistive technologies in low-income housing for the elderly. she has a diverse background in the STEAM field, including an undergraduate degree in drawing (visual arts), a graduate degree in ergonomics (UFPR), and a master's degree in mechanical engineering (PGMEC/UFPR), for which she was awarded the best work presented at the 2019 International Workshop on Assistive Technology. This multidisciplinary background allows them to develop social innovation strategies with a multidisciplinary approach to the practical application of this knowledge, based on human-centered design.

Maria Lúcia Leite Ribeiro Okimoto, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Postdoctoral researcher at the Technical University of Munich, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chair of Ergonomics from July/2012 to February/2013, Germany. Doctorate in Production Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina and RWTH-Aachen, Germany (2000). Master in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (1994). Degree in Industrial Design, Federal University of Paraná (1983). Full Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Federal University of Paraná. Vice-Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Design (2022-2024). Coordinator of the Araucária Foundation's NAPI-TA - New Research and Innovation Arrangements in Assistive Technology (2022-2027). Work in the Undergraduate Course of Mechanical Engineering at the UFPR and in the Postgraduate Programs of Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical Engineering (PGMEC) and DESIGN (PPGDesign) at the UFPR. She coordinates the Laboratory of Ergonomics and Usability (LABERG, UFPR). Coordinator of the Assistive Technology Research and Development Network (RPDTA). Her work focuses on the following areas: Product Development, Inclusive Design, Usability, Ergonomics, Assistive Technology, Smart Design, Modeling.

Andrew Sixsmith, Simon Fraser University

Andrew Sixsmith, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University and is Director of Science and Technology for Aging Research (STAR) Institute at Simon Fraser University. He was the Scientific Director of AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) between 2015-2020 and the Associate Scientific Director between 2020-2022. He is now an AGE-WELL Network Advisor. Dr. Sixsmith was past President of the International Society of Gerontechnology from 2014-16 and was previously Director of the Gerontology Research Centre and Deputy Director of the IRMACS Centre at SFU. His research interests include technology for independent living, theories and methods in aging and understanding the innovation process. His work has involved him in a leadership and advisory role in numerous major international research projects and initiatives with academic, government and industry partners. He received his doctorate from the University of London and was previously a lecturer at the University of Liverpool in the Institute of Human Ageing and Department of Primary Care.

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