Outside the Ivory Tower: The Role of Healthcare Design Researchers in Practice

A growing body of research in evidence-based design (EBD) demonstrates that elements of the physical environment correlate with health-related outcomes. This has prompted hospitals across the country to recommend that the architects and designers they hire have demonstrated experience in EBD; that they know both how to apply existing EBD studies and conduct and publish their own research. As a result, healthcare design-based firms have responded by hiring researchers trained in a doctoral program. With titles like ‘‘Director of Research,’’ these individuals are advancing the awareness and appropriate application of research findings, as well as contributing original, empirical studies to the field of EBD. These researchers may also conduct postoccupancy evaluations and provide education, both internally and externally. Initiating a research unit within a design firm is no easy task, and requires skills above and beyond being a solid researcher. This role is ideal for the person who wants to keep one foot in academia, but is less interested in pursuing a tenure-track position. Only a small percentage of design firms have doctoral-level researchers on staff. Ultimately, the fate of in-house researchers rests on their ability to add value to the firm—to spur innovative design solutions, to increase the firm’s credibility, and to help win work.