Global Health Research Seminar Series - Co-creating public health solutions starts with the health experts we often overlook: Insights and successes from 17 years of applying Human Centered Design and co-creation to public health challenges in Africa

Presented by Cal Bruns, CEO/ Chief Creative Incubationist, Matchboxology. In his first career, Cal spent 20 years across 5 continents as a highly-awarded creative director with a global advertising agency. Seventeen years ago, he pivoted to co-found Africa's first HCD (Human Centered Design) firm; Matchboxology. HCD is a methodology that helps ensure not only are we focusing on designing the right solutions, but are designing those solutions right for the context and realities of public health seekers. By bringing those communities and individuals closest to challenges into the problem-solving process, Cal and Matchboxology have helped global brands like Levi's® and international development donors like USAID, CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and global non-profits like JSI, JHPIEGO, PSI, ICAP, Abt Associates, and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation improve impact in public health, policy implementation, and positive behavior change across 24 countries. Cal has lived in South Africa for the past 23 years and is a recognized global expert on applying cognitive empathy and human-centered design for international development.