Nicole Rappin
About Nicole Rappin
Nicole Rappin is a User Research Manager with extensive experience in qualitative and ethnographic research. She has held various roles in organizations focused on user-centered design, including her current position at Code For America since 2019.
Current Role at Code for America
Nicole Rappin serves as the User Research Manager at Code for America, a position she has held since 2019. In this role, she focuses on empowering user groups often excluded from the design process, such as teenagers, patients, and students. She has been instrumental in enhancing user research methodologies within the organization, leveraging her expertise to inform product design and development.
Previous Experience in User Research and Operations
Prior to her current role, Nicole worked at Beyond as a Research Analyst for seven months in 2016. She also held the position of Operations Manager at D-rev from 2012 to 2016, where she later took on the role of Impact Assessment Lead for the Remotion Knee project. Her experience spans various organizations, including Taylor-design as a Design Strategist and Girl Effect as a Research and Strategy Contractor.
Educational Background
Nicole Rappin studied at Middlebury College, where she earned a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Economics and International Development from 2011 to 2012. She also holds a Bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied Anthropology, Communication, Music, and History from 2007 to 2011. Her educational background supports her strong foundation in qualitative and ethnographic research.
Research Skills and Methodologies
Nicole has a strong background in qualitative and ethnographic research, which includes conducting interviews, observations, and workshops with users. She is trained in lean software development and emphasizes the importance of involving engineers and architects in the user research process. Additionally, she has conducted trainings on utilizing ethnographic research tools to enhance product design across various sectors.
Internship and Early Career Experience
Nicole began her career with internships at notable organizations, including Interaction as a Public Policy Intern in 2010 and the International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome. She also worked as a Communications and Business Administration Host at Hub International in 2012. These early experiences contributed to her understanding of user needs and the importance of inclusive design.