Michael Zarro, Ph.D.

Hi, I'm Mike. I help people become design thinkers and organizations develop user-centered products and strategies. Currently, I manage a global user/customer research program.

I have a Ph.D. in Information Science and a Master's of Library and Information Science. My approach uses proven HCI, UX, IA, and business processes and practices to make information systems work for humans.

My new book is available!

Information Architecture: The Design and Integration of Information Spaces, 2nd Edition

With co-authors, Dr. Wei Ding and Dr. Xia Lin, we cover concepts like User-centered design and Lean principles, with updates that reflect today's customer-centered integrated technology era. The book features IA/UX research and design techniques along with real-world examples, and is available from the publisher's site, Morgan & Claypool , or Amazon.com

UX and IA Teaching

I enjoy helping people learn, in and out of the classroom. University courses taught include topics in Information Architecture and Digitial Libraries. Students have gone on to Twitter, Etsy, Library of Congress, and more. I co-founded an educational technology center at Bryn Mawr College, supervised an awesome Master's thesis at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA, and regularly present at conferences and workshops.

"Hands down, the best class I've taken... He inspires interest and motivation. After taking this class, I feel like I could do the job of Information Architect."

Kayaking and Outdoors

When I'm not working, I like to be outside - as often as possible on the water in my kayak. Have been fortunate enough to be visited by crocodiles, sharks, sea lions and manatees (and more), and lived to tell the tale. I once even helped a Computer Scientist from the Middle East kayak for the first time in Monterey Bay - he also lived to tell the tale. You'll usually find me floating around the Chesapeake Bay on summer weekends.

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