Welcome, international community!

Bridging user-centered design and international development

I'm James Nicholls, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in international development, coupled with expertise in user-centered design and digital transformation. My mission is to bring innovative, user-focused approaches to global development challenges.

My international development journey

• UN missions in Kosovo: Worked on post-conflict reconciliation and public information

• EU civilian missions: Managed public information for rule of law initiatives

• Nigeria: Led communications and user research for public service reform

• Madagascar: Participated in environmental conservation projects

What I bring to international development

• User-centered design expertise: Applying UCD principles to development projects

• Cross-cultural communication skills: Bridging diverse stakeholder groups

• Digital transformation knowledge: Leveraging technology for development goals

• Research and analysis capabilities: Providing evidence-based insights for decision-making

• Storytelling and advocacy: Amplifying the voices of beneficiaries and stakeholders

Key experiences in international contexts

• Interviewed over 150 families of missing persons in Kosovo, contributing to UN21 award-winning research

• Led communications strategy for Nigerian government's public service reform programme

• Conducted user research for public service delivery improvement in resource-constrained environments

• Facilitated knowledge transfer between UK government digital practices and international contexts

Methodologies adapted for international development

• Participatory action research: Engaging communities in the research and solution design process

• Human-centered design thinking: Applying design methodologies to development challenges

• Rapid ethnographic assessment: Quick, focused cultural insights for time-sensitive projects

• Remote user research: Leveraging technology to gather insights from hard-to-reach populations

• Impact evaluation: Measuring the effectiveness of user-centered interventions in development contexts

Challenges I've addressed

• Balancing user needs with policy requirements in complex political environments

• Adapting digital solutions for low-resource, low-connectivity settings

• Ensuring inclusive design in diverse cultural contexts

• Bridging communication gaps between international organizations and local communities

Let's collaborate for global impact

Whether you're an international NGO, a government agency working on global issues, or a development consultant, I'm excited to explore how we can work together. I can help your organization:

• Integrate user-centered design principles into development projects

• Improve the effectiveness of digital interventions in development contexts

• Enhance cross-cultural communication and stakeholder engagement

• Develop evidence-based strategies for sustainable development initiatives

Insights on international development and UCD

Explore my thoughts on the intersection of user-centered design and international development:

• Bridging the AI divide: User-centered design in international development

I'm looking forward to connecting with you and exploring how we can create user-centered solutions for global challenges!

Public Service Reform in Nigeria: A Collaborative Approach. In this project, I had the opportunity to interview the acting President of Nigeria, diving deep into the challenges and opportunities surrounding public service reform in the country. Working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, I produced this video to highlight the ongoing efforts to modernise government services for the benefit of Nigerian citizens

Meeting the Acting President of Nigeria ,Yemi Osinbajo, to discuss key issues in public service reform and opportunities for modernisation in government services.

During my time with EULEX Kosovo, I had the opportunity to create videos as part of public information campaigns aimed at humanising the “other.” One such project featured a EULEX Serb in the flashpoint city of North Mitrovicë/a, providing a more personal and relatable perspective in a region marked by division.