Catalyst: Sarah Henry

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New Modality Catalyst:
Sarah Henry, user research and design

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Profile edited by Michael J. Coren

Photo courtesy of  S. Henry
Last update: October 20, 2019

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Sarah Henry is an artist, writer, and researcher, and also one of The New Modality's Catalysts. Here's a bit more about her.

Tell us about yourself.

I freelance as a senior user researcher and designer, and my projects range from digital governance platforms to mobile apps for the classroom to experimental artificial intelligence.
 
I received my MFA in Interaction Design from the School of Visual Arts and have worked with clients including Microsoft, the New York Times, Columbia University, and Refinery29. I have also contributed to immersive theater pieces shown at Sundance New Frontiers and Lincoln Center in NYC. I'm a member of the Columbia Digital Storytelling Lab. 
 
I occasionally write short fiction and other things. 

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“I' m trying to put together a cohesive working definition of socialism for Americans in 2019.”

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If you could put out a PSA to the entire world asking for help with one thing, what would you ask for?  And if someone is able to help with that, then how can they reach you? (e.g.: can they find you on Twitter, through a contact page on your website, etc.?)
 
Right now we have more than one working definition of socialism for the modern era. Particularly in American politics, there doesn't seem to be a ton of agreement, even among the respective parties. Did you know some GOP think Obama was a socialist? Do you know the difference between welfare, like Medicaid, versus socialized medicine? Is there a difference? Why does it matter? I'm trying to put together a cohesive working definition of socialism for Americans in 2019, bolstered by strong examples. If you have any, send them my way. My email can be found on my website, or DM me @srhhnry on Twitter.
 
What's a relatively small, highly achievable dream of a better world that you sometimes fantasize about, but haven't done yet?

I want to figure out how to work, as a interaction designer and researcher, on climate change. So far I've seen proxies, but few design firms directly tackling the issue. I hope that changes.
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New Modality Catalysts

The New Modality is about experiments in culture — and the people who do those experiments. NewMo Catalysts are people who do things we admire and want to celebrate. They also help us stay accountable to our values. To learn more about NewMo Catalysts (or nominate someone to be a Catalyst), check out the Catalyst FAQ.

This profile was edited by Michael J. Coren. Michael is a journalist focused on business, technology, and science — especially climate science — living in San Francisco. More about him at his NewMo profile

The information in our Catalyst profiles usually comes directly from the subjects, and we usually don't fact-check them. You can learn more about The New Modality's fact-checking and epistemological ideas by reading the page about our process for truth and transparency.

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