معرفی
Susan Howard is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Studies at George Mason University, appointed in 2018 as the Health, Medicine, and Society Faculty. Her work bridges behavioral science, design thinking, and global health, with a focus on using game-based learning and digital technologies to drive behavior change in sustainability, conservation, and reproductive health. She has taught courses like Contemporary Health Issues and Digital Literacy, and her contributions to student learning have been recognized annually by the Office of the Provost.
- PhD: Environment, Science and Policy, George Mason University (2020)
- MPH: Public Health (Health Systems & Global Health), University of Hawaii (1999)
- BA: English, Wesleyan University (1995)
Her research integrates design thinking and systems theory to address global challenges, including Go Nisha Go, a mobile game for adolescent health in India and Nepal that won multiple awards. She has secured grants like the Curriculum Impact Grant and Teaching Assistant Fellowship, and her work spans partnerships with USAID, the Gates Foundation, and the National Park Service.
Article Trends: Her recent publications link early childhood emotional competence with educational outcomes, while her global health projects use digital games to tackle adolescent reproductive health and environmental conservation. Key themes include behavior change frameworks, emotional regulation in education, and interdisciplinary applications of design thinking.
- Faculty Career Connection Award (2019)
- Stearn's Teaching Distinction Award (Adjunct)
- Best Learning Game 2023 (Games for Change Festival)
- USAID Digi Award (2024)
- Fast Company Innovations by Design Top 10 (Social Justice, 2023)
Howard mentors students through courses like Introduction to Design Thinking and Digital Literacy, and she founded the Drs. Surya and Cecil Howard Scholarship Fund. Beyond academia, she is an amateur acrylic painter, Arts Club of Washington member, and National Park Service volunteer, earning the 2016 NPS Centennial Service Award.
