Portfolio

Hi, I'm Zia Khoshsirat.

Anthropologist, ethnographic researcher, and community insights expert with over six years of experience conducting in-depth ethnographic research, including 3,400+ hours of participant observation and interviews, to uncover community needs, pain points, and cultural drivers of identity formation. Skilled in applying conversational analysis, emotional regimentation, and semiotics frameworks to analyze cultural norms and behaviors, translating insights into actionable strategies for fostering resilience, empathy, and intercultural dialogue.

Award-winning researcher with a dissertation focused on identity negotiation among diverse ethnoreligious communities, supported by prestigious grants such as the Wenner-Gren Foundation Dissertation Fieldwork Grant. Experienced educator and collaborator with a strong track record of securing over $200,000 in competitive grant funding and leading multi-year, high-impact research initiatives. Passionate about leveraging cultural insights to promote equity, resilience, and community engagement.

Case Study 1: Understanding User Needs in Complex Systems

Identity Navigation in US

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Case Study 2: Designing for Emotional and Social Resilience

Designing mechanisms to foster resilience and emotional solidarity

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Case Study 3: Bridging Historical Context and Modern UX Challenges

Cultural Symbols and Their Commodification

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Case Study 4: TBD

TBD

VR, AR and Mixed Reality

effect of VR on language, memory retention, and interaction

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UX Resarch and Design

Utilizing my intense anthropological training in action

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Case Study 1

Case Study 1: Understanding User Needs in Complex Systems

Challenge:
Members of a diasporic community struggled to navigate their cultural and religious identities in a politically charged environment, resulting in emotional fragmentation and conflict. The goal was to identify pathways for fostering solidarity and inclusivity within the community.

Process

Research Methods

Conducted ethnographic fieldwork over five years, including over 3,400 hours of participant observation.
Performed in-depth interviews with members from diverse ethnoreligious backgrounds (Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i, Zoroastrian).
Analyzed textual and performative practices during mysticism (erfān) assemblies to uncover cultural narratives and emotional patterns.

Key Insights

Identified emotional regimentations (culturally encoded emotional behaviors) as barriers and enablers of cohesion.
Mapped user "pain points," such as exclusionary practices and geopolitical tensions, affecting group dynamics.
Highlighted shared values in mysticism as a bridge for cross-cultural engagement.
Mapped user needs to shared values, highlighting common ground for cross-cultural engagement.

Findings & Applications

The results of this ethnographic research offer actionable insights that can inform:

Policy-Makers: Frameworks for fostering emotional resilience and trust in intercultural settings.
Community Leaders: Strategies to design inclusive rituals that enhance solidarity.
Tech Companies: Opportunities to create digital tools for intercultural dialogue and emotional well-being.

Impact

Enhanced participants' emotional connection and reduced interpersonal conflicts within assemblies.
Created a replicable model for fostering solidarity in other diasporic settings.
Insights applied to designing online platforms that support dialogue and identity exploration.

Visual Insight

Below is a user journey map visualizing the stages of engagement in mysticism assemblies and their impact on emotional stress (pain points) and positive connection:
- Red Line (Pain Points): Shows a decrease in emotional stress as participants progress through the stages, reflecting their journey toward emotional regulation and conflict resolution.
- Green Line (Positive Connection): Represents increasing positive experiences as participants develop solidarity and reimagine their identities.

Stages:
- Initial Conflict
- Introduction to Mysticism (Erfān)
- Participation in Assemblies
- Emotional Regulation
- Identity Reimagination
- Community Solidarity
Emotional Trends:
- Pain Points: Start high and progressively decrease, reflecting reduced emotional stress through engagement.
- Positive Connection: Begin low but steadily increase, illustrating the growing sense of community and inclusivity.

Applications for UX Design

Design user-centered platforms prioritizing emotional well-being and inclusivity.
Integrate collaborative storytelling features to foster connection among diverse user groups.
Create tools for conflict resolution and shared identity-building experiences.

Case Study 2

Case Study 2: Designing for Emotional and Social Resilience

Challenge: In the face of geopolitical tensions, Iranian Muslim and Jewish diasporic communities often experience heightened emotional and social conflicts. The challenge was to identify and design mechanisms to foster resilience and emotional solidarity across these groups.

Process

Research Methods

Conducted ethnographic fieldwork over five years, including over 3,400 hours of participant observation.
Performed in-depth interviews with members from diverse ethnoreligious backgrounds (Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i, Zoroastrian).
Analyzed textual and performative practices during mysticism (erfān) assemblies to uncover cultural narratives and emotional patterns.
Conducted thematic analysis of cultural texts to understand their role in shaping emotional expression.
Facilitated focus groups to observe dynamics of emotional sharing and conflict resolution.
Explored symbolic practices to encourage collaboration and empathy

Key Insights

Highlighted "emotional regimentations" as cultural norms influencing anger, fear, and solidarity.
Identified transformative practices that created shared emotional spaces and reduced tension.

Findings and Applications

The findings from this research can guide various stakeholders:

Policy-Makers: Approaches to addressing intergroup tensions through shared cultural practices.
Community Leaders: Methods for fostering emotional solidarity and resilience.
Businesses and Tech Companies: Insights for developing platforms or programs that support intercultural empathy and conflict resolution.

Impact

Increased instances of emotional solidarity within assemblies, reducing intergroup tensions.
Provided a model for using cultural narratives to design for emotional resilience in digital and community spaces.
Inspired initiatives to build online tools for conflict resolution and emotional support.

Visual Insight

Below is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of emotional regulation and solidarity building through erfān practices:

Stages

Recognition of Emotional Divides
Shared Participation in Mystical Practices
Cathartic Emotional Release
Symbolic Reconciliation
Collective Resilience

Application for UX Design

Create digital platforms that incorporate ritual-based features to foster emotional engagement.
Use storytelling elements to create shared emotional experiences and empathy.
Design symbolic interaction systems that enhance user connection and promote resilience across diverse groups.

Case Study 3

Case Study 3:
Bridging Historical Context and Modern UX Challenges

Challenge: Iranian diasporic communities in Los Angeles navigate complex dynamics of cultural pride and commodification. The challenge was to examine how Persian poetry and mysticism are maintained as cultural symbols while also being commodified for social and economic purposes.

Process:

User Research Methods:
- Conducted semiotic analysis of cultural artifacts, including Persian mystical texts and poetry.
- Observed performative practices in community assemblies to uncover layers of meaning and social hierarchies.
- Analyzed how cultural secrecy and selective indexicality reinforce community identity.
Key Insights:
- Identified mechanisms of cultural commodification that link historical continuity with modern diasporic realities.
- Highlighted the role of language and textuality in constructing symbolic frameworks of identity.
- Explored how performative practices create social hierarchies and distinctions within the diaspora.

Findings and Applications: This research provides insights that can inform:

Policy-Makers: Strategies to preserve cultural heritage while promoting inclusivity.
Cultural Organizations: Tools for curating authentic yet accessible cultural programs.
Businesses and Tech Companies: Opportunities to design platforms that balance cultural authenticity with marketability.

Visual Insight: Below is a conceptual framework illustrating the interplay between cultural pride and commodification in diasporic communities:

Applications for UX Design:

Develop digital archives that showcase cultural heritage without reducing its authenticity.
Create storytelling-based platforms to highlight the richness of cultural narratives.
Design systems that foster inclusive representations while addressing commercial needs.

VR, AR, MIXED REALITY AND HUMAN MEMORY

LEAD RESEARCHER
Dr. Norma Mendoza-Denton

PROJECT TIME
3 months

LOCATION
Los Angeles, CA

MY ROLE
Experience Researcher

MAIN OBJECTIVE
the effect of increased reality in a VR environment through multisensory enhancement on remembering events

SKILLS UTILIZED

Expertise in virtual reality technology and development
Knowledge of the principles of mixed reality and its application in collaborative settings
Proficiency in designing and implementing research studies
Ability to recruit participants and manage study logistics
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

OBJECTIVES

Understand the alignment of gesture, intonation, and object presentation in virtual environments
See whether increasing the "realness" in the game through multisensory enhancement leads to expanded pitch range and intonational contours
If VR and Mixed Reality impact how human listeners utilize cues to organize the construction and recall of memory traces

*Dr. Norma Mendoza-Denton is the lead researcher in this project. She ideated this project in 2022 and designed the research based on her two decades experience with human-centered studies and analyzing human interactions during video game sessions.

She leads and manages the project.

I joined the project in April 2023.

RESEARCH DESIGN

For this research study, *we have designed an interaction in collaborative Mixed Reality (a combination of virtual reality and physical reality) which combines a participant (player one) virtually immersed as an avatar in RPE interacting with a physical spotter (player two). Here's the summary of the design:

Recruited pairs of real-life friends with no prior exposure to the game to participate in the study
A general VR orientation to ensure players knew how to move safely and operate controllers
Player one wore a VR headset and played as their avatar-self walking down the plank, while player two monitored safety without a headset
The game was untimed, and players could repeat the task as much as they wanted within a one-hour total gameplay time
The first pass involved normal VR gameplay, while the second pass involved MR with a fan simulating wind and walking on a physical plank
These modifications were commonly used by RPE gamer communities to enhance the perception of "realness" in the game

Conducted health condition screening checklist and obtained informed consent from participants for the research study
Video recorded participants' gestures and gross bodily movements during the collaborative Mixed Reality interaction
Audio recorded participants' conversations during the gameplay
Collected in-game play data from the avatar's perspective using the virtual reality headset
Ensured participant safety with a designated spotter and a member of the research team present during the interaction
Provided a safe environment with a plushly carpeted lab floor to prevent physical harm
Monitored participants for symptoms of headache or VR motion sickness and instructed them to take a break or stop altogether if necessary

PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT

Sample size determined based on small space, limited research assistant pool, and manageable timeline of 3 months
24 pairs or 48 total participants will be recruited
Population divided into same-gender and mixed-gender pairs and age categories: under 18 (parental consent required), 18-25 (Gen Z), 25-41 (Millennials), and over 41 (Gen X and Baby Boomers)
Recruitment ensureD the confidentiality of participants
Demographic diversity is considered during recruitment to ensure a representative sample

DATA ANALYSIS

Conducting discourse, gesture, and intonational analysis as the primary research method.
Utilizing naturally occurring gestures and intonational contours in our analysis.
The possibility of statistical analysis depends on the distribution of spontaneous gestures with intonational contours in our sample.

FUTURE OF THE PROJECT

The future of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in the medical field, education, and judicial system, among others, is promising. VR and AR can be used in medicine for simulation-based training, preoperative planning, and patient education. VR and AR can also be used to improve the accessibility of medical care, such as telemedicine and remote surgery. In education, VR and AR can enhance learning experiences, improve student engagement and motivation, and provide a more immersive and interactive learning environment.

There are potential applications of VR/AR in the judicial system in crime scene investigation, witness testimony, and courtroom presentations. VR technology can provide more immersive and realistic simulations of crime scenes and accidents, allowing investigators to gather more evidence. AR technology can be used to enhance witness testimony by providing visual aids that help jurors better understand the circumstances of a case. Additionally, VR and AR can be used to create interactive simulations of court proceedings, allowing legal professionals to practice arguments and presentations. The future of VR and AR in the judicial system is promising, with many potential applications that could improve the accuracy and fairness of legal proceedings.

In light of the promising and transformative potential applications of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), it is imperative to examine their impact on our comprehension of human language, interaction, and collaboration. Of particular interest is the question of how VR/AR/Mixed Reality influences our memory function, and how this may affect instruction delivery in high-stress situations. Further research is needed to determine the most effective approach for optimizing outcomes of using VR/AR under such circumstances (for example, doctor-patient interaction).