Erykah Benson, M.A.

Public Scholarship

Navigate the links below to view my portfolio.

Collaborated with a dating app to develop a new self-discovery tool.

Collaborated with a dating app to develop a new self-discovery tool.

Analyzed survey data on the use of grocery delivery in Detroit and its linkages to transportation access in the city.

Analyzed survey data on the use of grocery delivery in Detroit and its linkages to transportation access in the city.

Developed a publicly accessible interactive map showing the availability of grocery stores in the City of Detroit via ArcGIS Pro.

Developed a publicly accessible interactive map showing the availability of grocery stores in the City of Detroit via ArcGIS Pro.

Analyzed Flint residents' attitudes toward reparations.

Analyzed Flint residents' attitudes toward reparations.

Analyzed Detroiters' attitudes toward reparations and its links with knowledge of historical racism.

Analyzed Detroiters' attitudes toward reparations and its links with knowledge of historical racism.

Analyzed Detroiters' attitudes toward reparations and their stated intentions to vote in the November 2022 elections.

Analyzed Detroiters' attitudes toward reparations and their stated intentions to vote in the November 2022 elections.

Select Media Engagement

  • Detroit Free Press. “Reparations program offers $25,000 in housing support to Black metro Detroiters.”

  • Invited Opinion Article. Hudgins, K*., Benson, E*., Ostfeld, M., Hutchings, V. (2024). “Detroit reparations task force now has until 2025 to make its report, but going slow with this challenging work may not be a bad thing.” 10.64628/AAI.mack3qfcx.

  • Michigan Chronicle. “UM report: Half of Black Detroiters support reparations.” April 2023.

  • Michigan Public Radio. “Report: Detroiters’ views on reparations linked to perception of racial inequity.” March 2023.

  • CBS News Detroit. “U-M report finds majority of Detroiters support some form of reparations.” April 2023.

Featured Collaboration | User Research Feeld’s Reflections Tool

As a member of the Bodies, Intimacies, Identities, and Technologies Lab at the University of Michigan, I worked as an independent contractor for Feeld to conduct research design work for Feeld, a dating app for non-traditional couples and singles seeking the explore their gender and sexual identity. We did the initial design and testing work for Reflections, an in-app and desktop experience encouraging app members to dive deeper into their relationship boundaries and desires.

In my specific role, I translated user needs into inclusive design principles and executive-ready summaries aligned with the company’s unique value proposition and strategic goals. I moderated focus groups and synthesized qualitative findings into actionable insights reports for the Feeld UX team. I collaborated with Feeld’s cross-functional teams to deliver redesign recommendations through user-centered mockups, supporting graphics, and shared Miro boards, enabling a smooth handoff from research to design.