CURRENTLY
Norfolk, Virginia
relocating
CONTACT
lindsayelizah@gmail.com
AVAILABLE FOR
Research & Design
Consulting
Collaboration
Norfolk, Virginia
relocating
CONTACT
lindsayelizah@gmail.com
AVAILABLE FOR
Research & Design
Consulting
Collaboration
Design Researcher · Community Engagement · Neuroarts & Well-being
Interdisciplinary researcher and practitioner with nearly eleven years of experience translating complex human needs into evidence-based strategies and programs. Background bridges military planning and built environment research with applied neuroarts, community-based intervention design, and psychoeducation. Adept at qualitative and quantitative research synthesis, cross-functional stakeholder engagement, and designing rigorous protocols that connect research to real-world impact. Brings a trauma-informed, systems-level lens to human-centered design challenges.
Core Competencies
Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Research · Community Engagement & Co-Design · Stakeholder Interviewing & Synthesis · Workshop Design & Facilitation · Evidence-Based Program Design · Strategic Planning & Systems Thinking · Narrative Development & Communication · Trauma-Informed Practice · Neuroarts & Applied Well-being · Project Management
Design Research & Community Practice
Applied Neuroarts Researcher & Designer — wastelust, Feb 2019 — Present
Community-based intervention design · Participatory research · Arts-based methodology
Designed and facilitated improv and the brain! — an original workshop series integrating improvisational theater, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning frameworks as arts-based interventions for well-being, drawing on neuroscience and creativity research.
Co-created and co-facilitated a three-part interdisciplinary workshop series with licensed clinicians (Watermark Psychological Services), combining improvisation and psychoeducation to examine therapeutic applications of creative practice — a model of community-embedded participatory research.
Developed and delivered arts-based programs for diverse populations including military service members (Armed Services Arts Partnership), youth (Push Comedy Theater, Hurrah Players), and community members (Creative Well Arts Foundation, 757 Makerspace).
Exhibited research-informed creative work exploring cognition and creative practice at Hermitage Museum & Gardens, Chrysler Museum, and the CAN Foundation, engaging public audiences in embodied inquiry.
Strategic Planning & Research Leadership
Planner — Tidewater Planning & Design, Oct 2018 — Present
User research · Needs assessment · Evidence-based facility planning for DoD clients
Leads complex, interdisciplinary planning projects for Department of Defense installations requiring cross-functional coordination across diverse stakeholder groups, technical disciplines, and organizational hierarchies.
Conducts comprehensive user research through site visits, stakeholder interviews, and needs assessments; synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data into actionable deliverables including Basic Facility Requirements, Asset Evaluations, and Concept Studies.
Translates complex technical and human factors findings into clear, evidence-based recommendations for audiences ranging from facility managers to senior military leadership.
Manages project timelines, budgets, and deliverables for high-stakes initiatives with strict compliance requirements and multi-year implementation horizons.
Associate Planner — Tidewater Planning & Design, Oct 2016 — Oct 2018
Conducted secondary research, data analysis, and client interviews to support evidence-based planning decisions and project deliverables.
Quality Control Specialist — Tidewater Planning & Design, Jul 2015 — Oct 2016
Ensured tracking, consistency, and accuracy of documentation across project deliverables; developed systems-level understanding of project workflows and quality assurance protocols.
Education & Professional Development
B.S. Sustainable Business & Design
Old Dominion University · 2014
Designing Possible Futures
Slow Factory Foundation · Spring 2025
Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate
Trauma Research Foundation
Foundations of UX Design
Google
Chrsyler Museum Glass Studio · Community Auditor
Chrysler Museum · Spring 2022
757 Makerspace · Kate Thomas Studio · Suffolk Art League · The Creative Well Arts Foundation · Push Comedy Theater · Armed Services Arts Partnership · Watermark Psychological Services · Hurrah Players · Chrysler Museum Glass Studio · The CAN Foundation · Virginia Stage Company · Tidewater Community College · Hermitage Museum & Gardens