Rachael Dietkus, LCSW
Digital Services Expert in Design & Social Work, United States Digital Service
Rachael Dietkus is a pioneering social worker-designer specializing in trauma-informed care and ethics within civic and public interest design and technology. With nearly 25 years of experience in social justice, Rachael most recently was the first social worker ever hired at the United States Digital Service, where she focused on integrating trauma-informed practices into federal technology projects. As the founder of Social Workers Who Design, she consults globally on design, research, and strategy projects, nurturing trauma literacy and care humility among designers. Rachael is an RSA Fellow, a Design Council Expert, and a contributor to key publications, including "Feminist Designer" and the forthcoming "This is Journey Management" and "Designed with Care: Creating Trauma-Informed Content." She is also working on her first book on care, trauma, and design with MIT Press. Rachael's work bridges the gap between social work and design, advocating for more humane, care-centered approaches in public service delivery and civic tech.
Rosenverse talks by Rachael:
" All design has costs; AI is not unique in this respect. "
AI: Passionate defenses and reasoned critique [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 18, 2024
" Acknowledgment and validation of someone’s experience alone is trauma-informed and trauma-responsive leadership. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma (Videoconference)
July 13, 2022
" Leadership modeling vulnerability and openness about mental health is the first step in creating trauma-informed workplaces. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma (Videoconference)
July 13, 2022
" We pay all of our speakers and provide both subject matter and professional coaching to polish your presentation and speaking skills. "
Everything You Need to Know about the Civic Design 2022 Call for Presentations (Videoconference)
May 17, 2022
" We have to acknowledge harm is inevitable in research and focus on reducing it as much as possible. "
Learnings from Applying Trauma-Informed Principles to the Research Process
March 10, 2022
" Trauma isn’t just from sharp shocks; it often cascades from sustained feelings of helplessness. "
Trauma-Responsive Design: Reimagining the Future of Design Now
December 10, 2021
" All processes are extracted. Even if there is an element of enrichment in it, you want to reduce trauma extraction. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma (Videoconference)
January 1, 1970
