Alex Haagaard

Alex Haagaard has consulted on disability-led design methodologies with companies including the New York Times, Washington Post, Volkswagen and Google. They earned their Master of Design from OCAD University in Toronto, studying knowledge gathering practices of emergency medical professionals for the purposes of healthcare information design. During this time, they also increasingly struggled with what one doctor derisively described as “a myriad of nonspecific symptoms,” rendering publishing and networking as an early career researcher a challenge. In 2016, they began to work full-time pursuing a diagnosis and medical care, an experience which they describe as the “world's worst paying, least prestigious design research fellowship.” After two years of fighting to access care, they realized that if they wanted effective treatment, they would have to make it themselves. Researching the neurophysiology of histamine and identifying novel plant-based compounds, they successfully produced their own sleep cycle in 2018, and began working at The Disabled List in the role of Research Dork. Their research interests include anarchist biohacking, design for institutional bypasses, and speculative accessibility. 

Education 
MDes in Industrial and Product Design, Ontario College of Art and Design
BSc in Pathobiology, University of Toronto

Website
disabledlist.org

Twitter
@alexhaagaard

Instagram
@alexhaagaard

Course
Disability Studies: Liberatory Design Practices