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:
" We have to give ourselves space to tell impact stories that aren’t quantified; numbers don’t always capture the full picture of success. "
Day 3 Theme Panel
March 13, 2025
" Discomfort should not be dismissed; it’s a signpost for necessary change. "
The power to heal and harm
March 13, 2025
" Sometimes the most ethical and just path for humans is also the most effective for preserving natural systems. "
AI: Passionate defenses and reasoned critique [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 18, 2024
" Leaders need to handle their own stuff so they can create a space to receive compassionate feedback from their teams. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 13, 2022
" Question your assumptions; biases creep into everything and being humble allows for safer, more ethical work. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" Self-care after trauma work includes debriefing, therapy, time off, and reconnecting with loved ones. "
Leading through the long tail of trauma
July 7, 2022
" The conference is a single track, so everyone listens to the same content together, fostering community focus. "
Everything You Need to Know about the Civic Design 2022 Call for Presentations
May 17, 2022
" True consent means forms and processes designed for human understanding, not just organizational legal protection. "
Learnings from Applying Trauma-Informed Principles to the Research Process
March 10, 2022
" People must feel emotionally, physically, and psychologically safe in our design spaces. "
Trauma-Responsive Design: Reimagining the Future of Design Now
December 10, 2021
