Debra Everett-Lane
Debra Everett-Lane has a Ph.D. in history of science from Columbia University and expertise in content and experience design for museums, as well as for informal STEM education and experiences more generally. As Project Director for the federally funded Teaching American History Program at Learning through an Expanded Arts Program (2009-2013), she used arts and place-based learning to turn New York City into a creative campus for exploring American history. At ESI Design (2008-2017), a New York studio specializing in experience design where she became Director of Content & Activity Design, Debra developed expertise in human-centered experience design, audience engagement strategies, and creating immersive, interactive content for cultural, corporate, and not-for-profit clients. Since 2017, Debra has been in the Exhibition Department at the American Museum of Natural History, currently as Director of Exhibition Permanent Hall Strategy, a role that focuses on evaluation, strategy development, and prototyping new approaches, in collaboration with colleagues across the Museum. Previously, Debra was Associate Director of Gilder Exhibit Content at AMNH, overseeing content development and engagement strategies for the new Insectarium, Vivarium, and Collections Core, as well as for the renovated Halls of Gems & Minerals. She worked with curators, designers, educators, and other stakeholders, using these projects as opportunities to implement innovative interpretive approaches, interactives, and multisensory exhibits, and expanded focus on scientists and collecting practices. For the last few years, Debra also co-taught Remaking the Museum at Parsons School of Design, a course about contemporary needs, challenges, and strategies for museum exhibit design.
