Kath Straub, PhD, CUA Chief Scientist Human Factors International, Inc.

Kath Straub guides organizations and agencies to design communication and interactions systems that inform, educate, and shape key behaviors. To that end, she integrates multi-disciplinary research methods to uncover the psychological and emotional drives and barriers that inform human attitudes, decisions, and behaviors. Most recently, Kath’s interests have shifted to understanding how emerging communication methods (e.g., microblogging) and technologies (e.g., mobile) augment the existing information ecosystem and evolve consumer/ citizen expectations and behavior. She applies this knowledge to help organizations develop outreach strategies, and to proactively assimilate and draw upon the new channels and changing behaviors. Electronic channels are replacing the “picket fences” we used to gossip over. Is your organization ready?

Kath Straub is the Chief Scientist and Executive Director of Human Factors International. She holds a Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Rochester (NY). She has been recognized by Federal Computer Week Magazine as a Rising Star in Government.