Get in touch:
deirdre.hirschtritt@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Deirdre! My name is pronounced like you’re writing a letter to someone named Dra: “Dear Dra.” I’m a qualitative researcher, strategist, and leader who is passionate about democratizing access to information.
For the past 5+ years, I’ve been a UX Researcher at Code for America, the last 2+ years as a UX Research Manager. My work focuses on redesigning safety net benefits like Medicaid and food stamps so that people can get the help they deserve. As a manager, I also get to spend a lot of time coaching others to strengthen their research practice, which I really enjoy.
In my work across states, including Hawaii, Louisiana, and Minnesota, I use the full suite of UX research methods to deeply understand the people, complex legacy technical systems, and processes that power modern benefits programs. I visit with clients in their homes, I observe caseworkers as they determine eligibility, and I work shoulder-to-shoulder with state-level administrators to teach them about the people they serve.
Before Code for America, I conducted generative and evaluative research on the AutoCAD Web team, a new product at Autodesk, helping establish market fit and testing new features on an Agile team.
To me, research is the practice of building and maintaining trusting relationships with compassion and good humor at the foundation.
When I'm not at work, I love to hike in California's gorgeous mountains, go to dance classes, and bake something new every other day.