In this three-week online course, work with Prof. Joseph Sherlock to explore the principles and practical applications of human-centered design. Learn tools and techniques to solve problems by focusing on the people who matter most—your users. Through hands-on case studies and collaborative projects with fellow participants, you'll gain the skills to transform ideas into meaningful, impactful outcomes.
About the Program
In this online course, dive into the world of human-centered design (HCD) to understand concepts and applications. Collaborate with fellow program participants on hands-on case studies and projects. Walk away with tools to applicable to real world solutions.
Program Topics:
- Introduction to HCD Principles and Processes
- Conducting Field Research
- Behavioral Mapping and Barriers
- Synthesizing Insights
- Case Study: Municipal Food Waste Collection
- Prototyping Basics
- Usability Testing & Iteration
- Scaling & Delivering Solutions
- Final Presentations & Reflection
Session Format:
- 9 Live Online Sessions via Zoom (M,W,F from 9-11:30am US EST)
- Session Length: 2.5 hours
- Total Contact Hours: 22.5
The tuition rate for this program is $1,500. Applicants who are accepted by January 10th will receive a 10% priority registration pricing. Special alumni and partner pricing is available upon request. For more information, please email us at sanfordexeced@duke.edu.
Note: This course is part of the Behavioral Design Expert Certification. This certification provides participants with a dual certificate in HCD and BE. The cost for enrolling in this certification is $3,000 ($1,000 in savings).
This program is ideal for professionals wanting to learn how to integrate behavioral economics principles and methods into their development policy work.
Past program participants include the following:
- Program and project managers from the public and non-profit sectors
- Researchers from think tanks and academic institutions
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialists
- Communications, public relations, and donor campaign specialists
- Policy advocacy professionals
Program Information
Program Dates:
September 22 - October 10, 2025 (M,W,F from 9-11:30am US EST)
Priority Registration Deadline:
August 4, 2025 (for priority pricing)
Registration Deadline:
September 15, 2025
Questions?
Email the Executive Education Team at sanfordexeced@duke.edu.
More Courses:
Interested in similar courses? Check out the our Behavioral Design Expert Certification or Behavioral Economics & Behavioral Science program.
Meet the Program Director
Joseph Sherlock leads the Government Team at the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University – a team which focuses on using behavioral science to bring innovation into civic society. He is also PhD candidate at the London School of Economics, where is exploring how behavioral ideas can increase trust in elections and enable pro-environmental behavioral spillovers. His passion is using behavioral science as a vehicle for evidence based and evidence generating innovation.
He has previously been a Principal Behavioural Scientist with HM Revenue and Customs in the heart of the British government, worked at the Behavioural Insights Team in Public Health, and been a Branding Consultant for Clear M&C Saatchi. Joseph has run 50+ RCTs with governments across the world and has a wealth of experience applying behavioral science and human-centered design to difficult behavioral challenges, mostly in the sustainability, democracy, tax, financial decision making and health arenas. Joseph has a First-Class Psychology degree from the University of Bath and holds an MSc in Social Policy from The London School of Economics.