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My journey (so far)

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Who is Matteo?

As a child, curiosity sparked my creativity, leading me to build objects with almost anything I found around me.

Driven by a passion for understanding how things work and designing to delight people, my curiosity for creativity led me to pursue a Master's in Architecture.

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After a year in consulting, I felt a strong urge to delve into User Experience Design, specifically researching how might we design inclusive and age-friendly environments for people with different abilities.

I secured a scholarship for a European Ph.D. in UX Design, studying at the University of Genova (🇮🇹) and Loughborough University (🇬🇧).

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Upon recognizing the importance of designing for people and with people, I moved to Ireland, working as a postdoc research fellow on Human-Centered Assistive Technology at Technological University Dublin (🇮🇪).

Intrigued by technology and entrepreneurship, I founded the startup Déan Design Lab, focused on creating human-centered products like the award-winning smart bicycle light TAILT and the multipurpose device HANDY.

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In 2018 I ventured to Stanford University (🇺🇸) as a Fulbright research fellow, where I discovered a wealth of opportunities in Silicon Valley.

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Later in 2020 I joined the University of Cambridge (🇬🇧) as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie senior research fellow where I researched how to help designers to create environments that guarantee inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and created the IDEA Toolkit, a tool to boost evidence-based inclusive design for AEC industry professionals.

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In my journey, I consulted for companies like Amazon, Capgemini, ISO, Plug & Play Tech Center, Motionspot and in 2022, fascinated by technology, I joined Autodesk as a Senior UX Researcher where I blend scientific rigor with creative thinking to empower teams with evidence-based inclusive opportunities to tackle the wicked challenges of the AEC industry.

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I strongly believe that evidence-based design is crucial for crafting inclusive, ethical products, and technologies that enhance human abilities.

🛠️ What I do

  • I understand people's needs through rigorous research, blending qualitative + quantitative methods, and creative thinking.

  • I discover insights to help design the strategy, visualize, and prototype futuristic, inclusive, and ethical solutions.

  • I create design requirements, best practices, guidelines, and policies through technical writing, reviewing, and reporting.

  • I connect with individuals, inspire people, and advocate for the creation of more inclusive and ethical designs.

👐 My dedication to society

  • NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) Chairman for the development of the ISO standard on Universal Design.

  • Chair and board member at the AHFE International Conference.

  • Expert member for international committees and advisory boards (NSAI, EIP on AHA, TN SHAFE, Sirene Expert Hub).

  • Expert reviewer for several conferences, editorial journals and international bodies (Fulbright-Schuman, IJACDT journal).

  • Mentor and coach (Plug and Play Tech Center, Open IDEO, Lead The Future, SAGE Global Challenge).

🏆 My recognitions

  • Virtual Mobility Grant - EU COST Action CA19136 - link.

  • ISO Research Grant 2021 - link.

  • Best Paper award at the International Conference AHFE 21 - link.

  • 14th International Design Awards - Silver Award for HANDY and TAILT.

  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship - European Commission - link.

  • Fulbright fellowship - U.S.A. Government - link.

  • Future Leading Lights Award from the Irish Road Safety Authority - Ireland - link.

  • Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher - Ireland.

  • Emerging Scholar Award, Conference on Design Principles and Practices – George Brown College, Toronto - Canada.

  • National Health Informatics Society of Ireland award - Ireland.

  • First prize, National Italian Award “ETIC” from AICA and Rotary International - Italy - link.

  • First prize, Best Innovative Research Idea, at the Fifth Italian Conference on Ambient Assisted Living - Italy.

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