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
" The pressure to produce insights quickly defines many organizations shaped by 'move fast and break things' culture. "
The power to heal and harm
March 13, 2025
" There is always going to be a power gap in inclusiveness efforts unless we critically question who is missing. "
AI: Passionate defenses and reasoned critique [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 18, 2024
" Giving people control over their work is just as important as validating their experiences to reduce burnout. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 13, 2022
" Being trauma-informed means restoring a sense of safety, power, and self-worth. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" You can’t heal your way out of death or oppression by reforming oppressive systems; you must dismantle them. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" Having a Slack channel for chat and resources creates ongoing conversations and historical artifacts beyond the live talks. "
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
" Trauma lives in the body as pain, tension, or numbness and does not impact everyone the same way. "
Trauma-Responsive Design: Reimagining the Future of Design Now
December 10, 2021
