Hi, I'm
Devika.

March 2025 – Dec 2025

Footwork Trust

Researcher & Designer

• Developed Communities for Health, a strategic design research project generating policy evidence on community-led health innovation and neighbourhood services across the UK through mapping and analysis of innovation projects.
• Designed and facilitated co-creation and design thinking workshops with stakeholders, translating complex findings into prioritised, actionable journey recommendations for senior audiences.
• Produced high-quality written research outputs including briefings, visual summaries and a public-facing website presenting findings and design recommendations clearly to senior stakeholder audiences.
• Applied iterative feedback loops with health innovators and policymakers, embedding agile and responsive ways of improving research outputs for improved clarity and audience buy-in.

Jan 2022 – Oct 2025

Loughborough University, London

Doctoral Researcher

• Led a fully funded, multi-phase user research programme over 3.5 years, independently scoping, planning and executing a complex mixed-methods study on participatory design and community-led urban change across 100+ participants.
• Applied a broad range of research methods including ethnographic fieldwork, qualitative interviews, participatory action research, documentary analysis and surveys, selecting methods based on research questions and participant context.
• Synthesised complex qualitative and ethnographic datasets into frameworks and tools subsequently adopted by Footwork Trust, demonstrating the ability to translate insight into practical, measurable change.
• Leveraged AI tools to accelerate literature synthesis, qualitative analysis and pattern identification, applying emerging technologies pragmatically to improve research and design workflow efficiency.
• Presented research at conferences and internal forums; produced outputs for both technical and non-specialist audiences.

Feb 2023 – Oct 2024

Footwork Trust

Researcher — Learning Framework

• Designed and implemented an organisational Learning Framework applied across a national funding programme, People and Place, distributing £200,000 across 20 community innovation projects — embedding behaviour change principles and reflective practice into programme delivery.
• Designed and facilitated participatory learning day visits functioning as rich contextual research and engagement events, co-designed with participants and adapted to different local contexts, stakeholder needs and accessibility requirements.
• Conducted mixed user research across 100+ participants including community innovators, residents, councillors, policymakers and funders, applying a range of methods to uncover nuanced user needs and service pain points.
• Managed multiple senior stakeholder relationships simultaneously — councillors, policymakers, funders, community innovators and residents — maintaining trust and alignment across a complex programme landscape.
• Deployed service design methods including journey maps, service maps, ecosystem maps, collaborative documentary film and written blogs, translating findings into clear recommendations for senior decision-makers and funders.
• Applied Government Digital Service (GDS) standards and agile working practices to improve delivery and evidence base of housing and community programmes through a user-centred approach.

Jan 2023 – Feb 2024

Loughborough University, London

Course Tutor (Postgraduate)

• Delivered postgraduate seminars for the Design and Identity module, using compelling narrative storytelling and presentation skills to communicate complex ideas on identity, culture, and spatial practice.
• Provided individual coaching and feedback, helping students articulate design decisions clearly and build confidence in presenting their work to diverse audiences.
• Contributed to curriculum development through structured feedback, working to improve the overall learning experience and raise the standard of student output.

Aug 2023 – Oct 2023

Loughborough University, London

Research Assistant

• Conducted interdisciplinary research exploring the interrelationship of quality sleep, energy consumption and construction strategy, framing findings to meet predetermined research objectives.
• Applied mixed-methods research incorporating qualitative and quantitative user research to uncover nuanced user needs, behaviours and feedback.
• Produced data-driven insights to facilitate future research iteration and strategic decision-making.

2021

Camden Council & UAL

Service Designer as part of Masters

• Led ethnographic research and co-design workshops to understand trust barriers between families and Early Help services in the London Borough of Camden.
• Designed and iterated reflective practice tools adopted by frontline workers, improving relational continuity between service providers and families.
• Delivered synthesis presentations to senior leadership described as among the most impactful the team had received, directly influencing strategic service decisions.