RTS Lab
Communicating the impact of Ethical Techonolgy Research
RTS Lab is a research initiative at Arizona State University focused on exploring the ethical and societal impact of emerging technologies. The website was designed to communicate the lab’s mission, showcase ongoing research, and make opportunities for participation more accessible to students, researchers, and prospective contributors. The goal was to create an experience that informs, inspires, and encourages meaningful engagement with ethical innovation.
Role
UX Designer
Timeline
Feb - Apr 2026
(3 Months)
Team
2 Designers
Tools
Figma
Adobe CC
The Challenge
Research labs often communicate their work through highly academic or fragmented experiences that can feel inaccessible to students and prospective contributors.
RTS Lab needed a website that could clearly communicate its mission, highlight the real world impact of its research, and create a stronger sense of accessibility and engagement for individuals interested in ethical technology.
Reference Experience
​As part of the design brief, the HiMER lab website was provided as a reference for the type of research-focused experience RTS Lab would aim to create. The example helped establish the broader context of academic research communication, including how labs present research initiatives, showcase innovation, and engage students and researchers online. ​
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While the reference site successfully communicates credibility and academic focus, it also highlighted opportunities to create a more accessible, engaging, and human-centered experience for broader audiences.
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Research content should be easy to discover and navigate
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The mission and societal impact of the lab should be communicated clearly
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Academic information benefits from more approachable and engaging storytelling
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Participation opportunities should feel visible and accessible to students and researchers
Research Insights
The research uncovered an opportunity to create a more accessible and engaging academic experience by simplifying complex information, emphasizing real world impact, and creating clearer pathways for participation.
Competitive Analysis
Research Landscape Review
Existing academic and research lab websites were reviewed to understand common communication patterns, accessibility gaps, and opportunities for engagement.
Strengths
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Strong research mission and ethical focus
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Interdisciplinary collaboration across technology and society
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Academic credibility and institutional support
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Passionate contibutors and research driven culture
Weaknesses
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Limited visibility outside academic circles
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Research content may feel overly technical for broader audiences
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Information architecture lacks clear content prioritization
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No clear pathway for participation or engagement
Opportunities
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Growing interest in ethical tech and the Artificial Intelligence space
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Create stronger pathways for student and research involvement
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Use storytelling to communicate real-world research impact
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Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement
Threats
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Competing academic labs and research initiatives
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Information overload reducing engagement
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Difficulty maintaining fresh and up to date content
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Limited awareness among prospective students and contributors
The Design Opportunity
The research revealed an opportunity to position RTS Lab as a more accessible and human-centered research experience by simplifying communication, emphasizing societal impact, and creating clearer participation pathways.
