Designing for Wellbeing in the Workplace: A Human-Centered Informatics Approach
Sage Tse
Project Summary
Wellbeing is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in organizational health, yet remains challenging to measure and support effectively, especially across diverse and dynamic workforces. This research explores how personal informatics and human-centered design can be leveraged to better understand and improve wellbeing in the workplace.
Building on theories like Capability Theory and informed by frameworks from behavioral science and interaction design, the study critiques existing wellbeing metrics and proposes more inclusive, adaptive tools that reflect individual and collective experiences. By reviewing workplace programs, data management systems, and employee engagement strategies, the project highlights the tension between organizational goals and individual wellbeing needs.
The research calls for a shift from generalized metrics to context-sensitive, co-designed informatics tools that foster meaningful reflection and action. It advocates for inclusive design practices that center underrepresented voices and capture the full complexity of mental, physical, and social wellbeing in modern work environments.
Keywords: Workplace Wellbeing, Human-Centered Design, Personal Informatics, Capability Theory, Inclusive Design, Organizational Health.
