Intro
Jay
Hasbrouck
Intro
Jay
Hasbrouck
“Ethnographic thinking—freed from the constraints of the ‘ethnography as tool’ perspective—asks not just what consumers want, but why the organization is solving for that particular challenge in the first place.”
See more in the book: Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset, Routledge Press.
Click here to schedule a keynote, talk or podcast appearance.
YOU'LL FIND ME...
...Exploring
...Listening
...Facilitating
...Analyzing
...Sketching
...Situating
...Adapting
...Interpreting
...Strategizing
...SHARING
...Mentoring
...CollaboratinG
...writing
...Celebrating
I'm an anthropologist and strategist committed to exceptional product, service, and systems innovation and growth. My experience includes structuring and managing initiatives that infuse the development process with cultural awareness and emerging customer needs. I thrive on systemic challenges and see collaboration as a critical component of impactful innovation. My approach prioritizes adaptive methods and holistic analysis.
I'm a visualizer, actualizer, thought partner, catalyst, life-long learner, and occasional alchemist.
Speaking
Speaking
Speaking Engagements
Appearances
Eyes on Tomorrow: How Pathfinders Help Facebook see beyond the Horizon to Build Responsible Products, EPIC Panel 2021.
Host of EthnoPod, various guests
Anthropology and Pathfinding, Guest on Anthro-to-UX Podcast, Hosted by Matt Artz
Ethnographic Thinking and Pathfinding, Guest on Anthroperspectives Video Podcast, Hosted by Keith Kellersohn
Making the Case for Business Anthropology, Panel Member, Hosted by Yuliya Grinberg, Robert Morais, and Matt Artz
How to Think Like an Ethnographer, Hosted by Adam Gamwell on This Anthro Life
The Power of Ethnographic Thinking in Design, Hosted by Gerry Scullion on ThisIsHCD
Thinking Like an Anthropologist on Andi Simon’s On the brink
What is Ethnographic Thinking? with Veronica Reyero on Antropologia 2.0
Talks
“Resonance = Impact: Effective Storytelling for your XFN” Figma, March 2023
“From Skillset to Mindset,” “Tools for XFN Engagement,” Instacart, April 2023
“Curiosity, Adaptation, and Storytelling: How to Use Ethnographic Thinking for More Strategic Innovation” EPIC China Talk, June 2021
“Using Your Ethnographic Superpowers to Build Partnerships in Cross-Functional Teams” Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference Talk, March 2021
“Ghosted in Malaysia” F***UpFriday, Applied Anthropology Network of the European Association of Social Anthropologists, February 2021
“Who's Holding the Flashlight?: Looking Back to Look Ahead” Facebook Speculative Design Summit Keynote Presentation, November 2020
“Getting Ahead of Appropriation: Ethnographic Thinking and Full-Spectrum Insight” Society for Applied Anthropology Meetings, March 2019
“Curiosity, Adaptation, and Storytelling: How to Use Ethnographic Thinking for More Strategic Innovation” Webinar at Ethnographic Practice in Industry Conference website, August 2018
“From What to Why: Inverting the Role of Ethnography in Innovation” Webinar at Innovation Learning Network, August 2018
“Beyond Fieldwork: Using Ethnographic Thinking
to Build Strategic Innovation” Connect & Collaborate, Stryker, June 2018
(with Charley Scull) “Ethnographic Thinking for Wicked Problems: Framing Systemic Challenges and Catalyzing Change” Tutorial at Ethnographic Practice in Industry Conference, September 2016
“How Ethnography Informs Design” Future of Fish: Designing the Future of Sustainable Fishing, July 2009
“Hackers as Healers: Finding Inspiration for Sustainable Technology Design” Exposed: A Design Research Exchange, Phoenix, AZ, March 2009
“'My House Made Me Green,’ or ‘Why I’m not a Treehugger'” American Anthropological Association 106th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2008
“Green Networks: Shifting Subjectivities and 'New’ Environmental Values” Students and Educators Environmental Discussions (SEED 2) :: Panelist, San Francisco, CA, April 2008
“Hackers as Healers: Finding Inspiration for Sustainable Technology Design” Computer Human Interaction (CHI), Panelist on “Beyond the Hype: Sustainability and HCI” Florence, IT, April 2008
“Dead, Dying and Disabled Technologies: Finding Inspiration for Sustainable Design” Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting :: Panelist on “New Directions in Engaged Anthropology: Technologies, Empowerment, and Sustainability,” Memphis, TN, March 2008
“Bright Green: Social Sustainability and Technology” Sustainable Practices, Interactive Telecommunications Program, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, April 2007
“From Hippy to Hip: Exploring Domestic Praxis in Green Homes” Networking Ecological Footprints Research Team, Human Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, February 2007
(with Sue Faulkner) “ ‘Why are you taking my picture?’: Navigating the Cultural Contexts of Visual Procurement” Ethnographic Praxis in Industry Conference, Portland, OR, September 2006
“Network Compatibilities: The Internet and the Earth Liberation Front” American Anthropological Association 104th Annual Meeting, Washington, DC., November 2005
Publications
Publications
Reviews of Ethnographic Thinking
Book Review: Ethnographic Thinking, by David Rubeli in EPIC Perspectives
Ethnographic Thinking: Review of a Breakthrough Book, by Ian H. Smith in Being Guided
Anthropology as Strategy: A Review of Jay Hasbrouck’s “Ethnographic Thinking, by Maia Green in anthrodendum
10 Must Read Books on Anthropology in Business and Design, by Amy Santee in Practicing Anthropology
Book Review, on Putting People First
Publications
Ongoing: Blog - Ethnographic Mind
2018 Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset. New York: Routledge Press.
2018 Building an Innovation Strategy from Cultural Insights, EPIC Perspectives.
2015 Beyond the Toolbox: What Ethnographic Thinking Can Offer in a Shifting Marketplace, EPIC Perspectives.
2013 (with Charley Scull) Hook to Plate Social Entrepreneurship: An Ethnographic Approach to Driving Sustainable Change in the Global Fishing Industry. Handbook of Anthropology in Business, R. Denny and P. Sunderland, eds., New York: Routledge Press.
2011 From Refurbish to Renew: The Trope of Healing in Sustainable Technology Design. Design Philosophy Collection Six.
2008 (with Allison Woodruff) A Bright Green Perspective on Sustainable Choices. Computer Human Interaction Conference Proceedings, April.
2008 Green Homeowners as Lead Adopters: Sustainable Living and Green Computing. Intel Technical Journal. Volume 12 Issue 01 Published February 21.
2007 Mapping the Digital Home: Making Cultural Sense of Domestic Space and Place. Intel Technical Journal. Volume 11 Issue 01 Published February 15
2006 (with Sue Faulkner)“Why are you taking my picture?”: Navigating the Cultural Contexts of Visual Procurement. EPIC Proceedings. Sept. 2006, No. 1: 259-270.
2005 (with Meshkati, N., E. Abdi, C. Cooper, J. Finzi, J. Hasbrouck, S. Pahulu, D. Peterson, J. Steele, and V. Todd) Sustainability of the Los Angeles Jewelry District: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Technical, Social, Economic, Safety, Health and Environmental Issues. Los Angeles: University of Southern California, Center for Sustainable Cities.
2005 Primitive Dissidents: Earth Liberation Front and the Making of a Radical Anthropology. Doctoral Dissertation for Ph.D., Social Anthropology, University of Southern California.
2004 Social Sustainability in a Conflicted Landscape: Alternative Tourism and Collective Farming in Jalcomulco, Mexico. In A Case Study of Sustainability: Jalcomulco, Veracruz. Los Angeles: Center for Sustainable Cities, University of Southern California.
2002 Social Theories of Urban Sustainability in the Developed World. Los Angeles: Center for Sustainable Cities, University of Southern California.
Background
Background
Background & Experience
Education
Ph.D., Social Anthropology
University of Southern California, 2005
Graduate Certificate, Center for Sustainable Cities
M.A., Visual Anthropology
University of Southern California, 2000
Graduate Certificate, Gender Studies
B.S., Public Policy and Management
Carnegie Mellon University, 1988,
Minor, Art
Positions
Pathfinder, Long-Term Bets Team, Google, 2022-Present, Seattle, WA (Areas of focus: Generative AI, Foresight Methods, AR/VR, Creator economy, New business models, Competitive landscape)
Pathfinder, Facebook Feed & Stories, New Product Experimentation, Meta, 2019-2022, Seattle, WA (Areas of focus: enabling community formation, authentic expression, storytelling, social gaming, emerging primitives)
Founder, Ethnographic Mind, 2018-Present, Seattle, WA
Founder, Filament Insight & Innovation, 2008-2019, Seattle WA
Partner, ethnoworks, 2010-2019, Seattle, WA
Senior Human Factors Specialist, IDEO, 2008, San Francisco, CA
Research Scientist, Intel (Digital Home Group), 2006-2008, Hillsboro, OR
Research Fellow, USC Center for Sustainable Cities, 2002-2005, Los Angeles, CA
Adjunct Professor of Ethnography, California Institute of the Arts, Critical Studies Department, 2003-2004, Valencia, CA
Industries
Industries
Industries & Clients Served
Technology
Intel, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA), SAP, Nokia, Fujitsu-Seimens, Astro
Healthcare
Ascension Health, Kaiser Permanente, Harvard Vanguard, Group Health Cooperative
Sustainability
The Packard Foundation, Los Angeles Jewelry Manufacturers Assn., State of Veracruz (Mexico) Secretaría de Turismo / Univ. of Veracruz
Consumer Goods
Amway, SC Johnson, Whole Foods Market, Kimberly-Clark
Nutrition
Metagenics, Nutrilite
Non-Profit
AARP, Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Government
Department of Energy
Ikaria (now Mallinckrodt)
Pharmaceuticals
Pet Health
Pet Care
Locations
Locations
International Sites & Focus
Egypt
Inside/Out: Tech and Place in the Home
France
Prototyping a Uniquely French Sales Model for Wellness Products
Germany
Compartmentalization and Technology; Work/Home Divide and Opportunity Seeking; Designing Green PC’s
Japan
Inspiring New Customer Service Interactions
Malaysia
The Role of Class, Religion, & Government in Sales; Ethnicity and Home Entertainment
Mexico
Post-NAFTA Ecotourism
Russia
Reconfiguring Place, Product, and Customer Service: A Prototype Sales Center
Third Places & Technology in Education
South Korea