HCM has added Erika Ashauer, ALEP, EDAC as a Human Experience Research Lead in the firm’s PK-12 studio, bringing deep expertise at the intersection of cognitive science, design research, and PK-12 educational environments.
Erika joins HCM with a distinctive background in applied research, learning sciences, ethnographic inquiry, and evidence-based design. She has spent her career embedding research directly into design workflows, translating insights about attention, regulation, memory, and social context into actionable strategies to drive more intentional, aligned, human-integrated outcomes. Her recent work includes pre- and post-occupancy studies, participatory design facilitation, multilingual community engagement, and the creation of research to design frameworks that enhance practice-wide accountability and shared understanding.
“Erika brings a rare combination of cognitive neuroscience rigor and human experience perspective to impact and improve the design of our PK-12 spaces,” said Adele Willson, PK-12 Studio Leader. “Her approach not only deepens our research capabilities but strengthens our ability to create environments that truly support the cognitive, emotional, and social needs of learners and educators.”
Erika holds a B.S. in Cognitive Science, Neuroscience & Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. She is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP), holds Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC), and is certified in Emotional Intelligence Coaching.
