Meag Doherty
Meag is a UX leader and bioethics fellow at Harvard Medical School, specializing in the intersection of design, technology, and ethical innovation in science. With a background in experience research and design for medical research and healthcare delivery, she bring expertise in operationalizing value-driven practices and creating equitable, user-centered solutions in complex fields. Passionate about making science more open and accessible, Meag explores how design can empower informed, ethical decision-making in emerging technologies.
Presentations
UX Camp Winter 2025
Should Screening Embryos Be Frictionless? Designing for Ethics in High-Stakes Healthcare
In the age of frictionless design, the drive to simplify complex processes often overlooks the ethical weight of decisions, particularly in healthcare and reproductive technology.
When it comes to screening embryos, should user experience prioritize ease and efficiency, or should it deliberately introduce friction to prompt reflection—or even limit availability on certain platforms? This talk invites UX designers to examine how their design choices shape not just user behavior, but also the ethical outcomes of deeply personal and consequential decisions.
Through real-world examples and thought experiments, we’ll explore how principles of user-centered design intersect with bioethics in high-stakes contexts. We’ll tackle questions of accessibility, empathy, and equity while discussing how to design systems that balance usability with informed, deliberate decision-making. Attendees will leave with actionable insights for navigating complex emotional landscapes and a clearer understanding of their role in ethically shaping the future of healthcare technologies.
