Rachael Dietkus, LCSW
Digital Services Expert in Design & Social Work, United States Digital Service
Rachael Dietkus is a pioneering social worker-designer specializing in trauma-informed care and ethics within civic and public interest design and technology. With nearly 25 years of experience in social justice, Rachael most recently was the first social worker ever hired at the United States Digital Service, where she focused on integrating trauma-informed practices into federal technology projects. As the founder of Social Workers Who Design, she consults globally on design, research, and strategy projects, nurturing trauma literacy and care humility among designers. Rachael is an RSA Fellow, a Design Council Expert, and a contributor to key publications, including "Feminist Designer" and the forthcoming "This is Journey Management" and "Designed with Care: Creating Trauma-Informed Content." She is also working on her first book on care, trauma, and design with MIT Press. Rachael's work bridges the gap between social work and design, advocating for more humane, care-centered approaches in public service delivery and civic tech.
Rosenverse talks by Rachael:
" As researchers, we stand on the shoulders of many before us; attribution helps us honor that lineage and curiosity. "
Day 3 Theme Panel
March 13, 2025
" Research should prioritize participant and researcher well-being over institutional convenience. "
The power to heal and harm
March 13, 2025
" Bias is constantly evolving; awareness requires trusted human relationships, not just technology validation. "
AI: Passionate defenses and reasoned critique [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 18, 2024
" Trauma is such a loaded word, and it’s a psychological experience shaped by our individual perception of an event. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 13, 2022
" Assume everybody has the potential for trauma to show up in any interaction you have with them. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" I’ve never gone into an Indigenous community alone; relationships and partnerships are vital. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" Our curation process is identity hidden to prioritize equity and thematic mapping over affiliation or geography. "
Everything You Need to Know about the Civic Design 2022 Call for Presentations
May 17, 2022
" The self-care industry is commodified; true healing requires organizational change, not just personal coping tactics. "
Learnings from Applying Trauma-Informed Principles to the Research Process
March 10, 2022
" We need integrity designers who are proactive and minimize the damage that is certain to happen in services we design. "
Trauma-Responsive Design: Reimagining the Future of Design Now
December 10, 2021
