About

Grace Burleson, PhD, is the Principal Investigator at Burleson Global Design Group and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on design, research, and education within the mechanical engineering field, contributing to the discovery and learning processes in engineering design. She is actively involved in guiding research efforts and mentoring students in her group, which includes graduate and undergraduate researchers working on various projects related to mechanical engineering and creative technology. Her group is based at the Discovery Learning Center, DLC 165 & 157, within the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, part of the College of Engineering & Applied Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. Dr. Burleson’s work emphasizes innovative approaches to engineering design and education, fostering a collaborative environment for research and discovery.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Political Science
• Engineering
• Psychology
• Public relations
• Medicine
• Sociology
• Management science
• Engineering ethics
• Knowledge management
• Artificial Intelligence
• Engineering management
• Social psychology
• World Wide Web
• Family medicine
• Business
• Geography
• Process management

Selected publications

• A Systematic Review of the Application of Affordance Theory in Design for Well-Being

  Proceedings of the ... Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences/Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Affordance theory offers a valuable lens for understanding how designed artifacts support well-being, yet its application in the context of physical artifacts remains underexplored. We conducted a literature review to synthesize how affordance theory has been used to design or evaluate well-being outcomes in relation to consumer products, built environments, and other physical artifacts. Our analysis revealed a small but growing body of interdisciplinary work, with affordance theory applied either as a conceptual foundation or as an analytical framework. While most studies retrospectively assessed well-being outcomes, few proposed methods for applying affordances in design processes. We identified key themes related to the application of affordance theory to promote physical, emotional, and social dimensions of well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations. Ultimately, we identified opportunities to expand the use of affordance theory to advance design processes supporting well-being and design justice, calling for more explicit frameworks that center context and diversity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Systematic Review of the Application of Affordance Theory in Design for Well-Being

  ScholarSpace (University of Hawaii at Manoa) · 2025-12-23

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Affordance theory offers a valuable lens for understanding how designed artifacts support well-being, yet its application in the context of physical artifacts remains underexplored. We conducted a literature review to synthesize how affordance theory has been used to design or evaluate well-being outcomes in relation to consumer products, built environments, and other physical artifacts. Our analysis revealed a small but growing body of interdisciplinary work, with affordance theory applied either as a conceptual foundation or as an analytical framework. While most studies retrospectively assessed well-being outcomes, few proposed methods for applying affordances in design processes. We identified key themes related to the application of affordance theory to promote physical, emotional, and social dimensions of well-being, particularly among vulnerable populations. Ultimately, we identified opportunities to expand the use of affordance theory to advance design processes supporting well-being and design justice, calling for more explicit frameworks that center context and diversity.

  Publisher

• Incorporating contextual factors in back-end design stages: development and pilot testing of the Contextual Product Testing protocol

  Proceedings of the Design Society · 2025-08-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  ABSTRACT: Designing products for diverse stakeholders and environments requires understanding contextual factors, as neglecting them often leads to design failures. However, guidance on integrating context during back-end design phases is limited. To address this gap, we developed the Contextual Product Testing (CPT) protocol, which involves testing prototypes in stakeholders’ contexts of use, gathering data through observations and interviews, and analyzing insights based on contextual factor categories. To evaluate the protocol, we conducted a case study using an interactive toy chest prototype that encourages children to clean up after playtime. Results from ten families revealed contextual barriers, enablers, and actionable recommendations. Our findings suggest the protocol offers a structured approach for incorporating context into back-end design, improving products for real-world use.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Advancing Engineering Design Research Through the Use of Qualitative and Participatory Methodologies

  2025-08-17

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Engineering design is social—both in the sense that the process of design requires social interactions and in the sense that the outcomes are embedded into society resulting in direct and indirect social effects. Qualitative and participatory methods equip researchers with approaches to not only expand existing theories but also deepen their scope and understanding of the social considerations in design. As the application of qualitative and participatory methods increase in the Design Theory and Methodology (DTM) community, there is an opportunity to reflect on their use, strengthen their quality, and consider their potential for addressing key design research questions. This paper presents themes from a special session at 2024 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC) that included presentations and discussions on the use of qualitative and participatory research methods. Namely, effectively applying methods from other disciplines and increasing the credibility of such methods within DTM were discussed. Panelists and audience members also sparked ideas that led to our paper’s “call to action,” including being more responsible in participant sampling and engagement, increasing industry partnerships, and conducting more intentional training and mentoring across the research community. Ultimately, we encourage a strengthening of DTM research, with a particular focus on the broader social impacts of engineering design.

  PublisherDOI

• Volunteering in Humanitarian Engineering Projects: Motivations and Challenges Experienced by Students, Professionals, and Retirees

  2025-10-22

  articleSenior author

  Many humanitarian engineering (HE) projects are designed and implemented by professional engineering volunteers, with varying degrees of project success. Recruiting, training, and retaining skilled engineering volunteers who also have critical contextual and cultural knowledge is key to supporting sustainable, long-term humanitarian engineering goals. However, prior research has not explored the various motivations and challenges faced by HE volunteers across different career stages. To fill this gap, we conducted a survey with 179 people who volunteer for a large HE organization. Broader survey results showed that top motivators to volunteer included a passion for humanitarian work and feelings of accomplishment. The greatest challenges across volunteers were access to funding and materials. When analyzing the motivations and challenges across student, professional, and retired participants, we found significant differences in volunteers' motivations such as students' higher motivation to volunteer because of the support they receive or professionals' higher motivation to volunteer due to their altruistic values. We also found significant differences in the challenges experienced by volunteers such as students' struggles with communication skills, retirees' higher reporting of team-related challenges, and others. Our results indicated recommendations for HE organizations seeking to strengthen their programs.

  PublisherDOI

• Connecting academia and industry: Piloting an industry mentor program in a first-year engineering design course

  2025-08-21

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Affordance-based design strategies to support well-being: a case study of university of transportation

  Proceedings of the Design Society · 2025-08-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  ABSTRACT: People rely on daily interactions with artifacts, greatly influencing their physical, mental, and social well-being. Despite this, current design practices often overlook well-being as a core consideration. Affordance theory, which explains how an artifact’s features enable specific user actions and experiences, offers a promising lens for addressing this gap. This study focuses on assessing affordance mechanisms as a potential tool to support design practices to design for positive well-being outcomes. Using transportation modes as a case study, we interviewed college students to explore how specific mechanisms can contribute to positive or negative well-being outcomes. Findings resulted in 233 examples, which showed trends in mechanisms, modes, and well-being outcomes. Ultimately, this work presents an initial framework for embedding well-being considerations into design.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• From Dismissal to Adoption: Examining and Visualizing Stakeholder Perspective-Taking in Design

  2025-08-17

  articleSenior author

  Abstract Engineering design requires effective stakeholder perspective-taking (SPT), a process in which designers actively consider and integrate the viewpoints of stakeholders into their design decisions. This is especially important in design processes aimed at addressing community needs, as it ensures that solutions are relevant, inclusive, and responsive to those affected. To gain a deeper understanding of how SPT functions in design settings and what it may reveal about individuals and teams, we conducted an observational study with seven participants, organized into three teams. Each team was presented with the perspectives of six community stakeholders and tasked with proposing a solution to a specific problem during a 30-minute recorded session. We analyzed the recorded sessions and identified 89 distinct instances of SPT, which reflected how participants engaged with stakeholder viewpoints in their decision-making. These instances were categorized into six levels, representing a spectrum that ranged from dismissing stakeholder input to fully adopting and integrating it into their design process and decisions. To further explore these patterns, we introduce the concept of SPT Signatures, which are graphical representations of how individuals and groups represent stakeholder perspectives during design work. The SPT Signatures revealed variations across different groups and individuals, suggesting that multiple factors may influence how stakeholders’ perspectives are considered and represented. Ultimately, these findings lay the groundwork for future research that investigates how designers navigate multiple viewpoints in the design process. By understanding how and when certain perspectives are prioritized or overlooked, we can better inform practices that promote more inclusive, community-centered design solutions.

  PublisherDOI

• Exploring Global Responsibility During an Immersive International Design Experience

  2025-10-22

  articleSenior author

  Global responsibility in engineering involves critical reflection on the role of technology in society, acknowledging the social, political, and economic impact of engineering decisions. Effective humanitarian engineering endeavors require engineers who understand these considerations. While more universities offer curricular and extra-curricular experiences aimed at improving students' sense of global responsibility, there remains a gap in research assessing the effectiveness of these experiences. This study examines one such initiative: a Design Summit hosted by Engineers Without Borders (EWB)-Australia, a four-week immersive design experience for undergraduate students from Australia and New Zealand. Using phenomenological and ethnographic methods, we will explore how students' perspectives on global responsibility evolve throughout the summit. Data collection includes pre- and post-program semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations during the summit. Analysis will be guided by identity development theory to uncover factors that influence change in perspectives and understanding of responsibility in humanitarian engineering contexts. Data will be gathered between June and August of 2025. This presentation will share preliminary findings and emergent themes, offering insights for educators and program designers seeking to integrate global responsibility more effectively into engineering education.

  PublisherDOI

• Investigating Preliminary Examination Practices in U.S. Mechanical Engineering Doctoral Programs

  2025-08-21

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Kathleen H. Sienko

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  12 shared

• Kentaro Toyama

  Michigan United

  12 shared

• Kendra V. Sharp

  Oregon State University

  6 shared

• Mostafa Mortezaie

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

  4 shared

• Stephen Suffian

  United Nations

  4 shared

• Charlie Advisor

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

  4 shared

• Ed Perkins

  Intel (United Kingdom)

  4 shared

• Jay Pearlman

  ASM Pacific Technology (China)

  4 shared

Education

• Design Science, Ph.D.

  University of Michigan

  2023

• Mechanical Engineering & Applied Anthropology, Dual M.S.

  Oregon State University

  2018

• Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

  Oregon State University

  2016