Welcome to the 5th episode of Sci-Tea!

Join us (Ryan & Nanci) for a conversation with Dr. Beth McGee and Dr. Ryan Couillou on Friday, February 18th for a discussion on building nature into interior design. We first talked about an article that our guest Dr. Beth McGee worked on titled “DIY Biophilia: Development of the Biophilic Interior Matrix as a Design Tool.” We cover the definitions of biophilia and biophilic design, and why they are important to consider. Our guest Dr. Ryan Couillou, who collaborated with McGee in the past, gives his input on these topics as well. They discuss their collaboration as professors and how they bring these topics into the classroom. We learn more about how the biophilic matrix is being applied in a variety of settings. To finish off the episode, Dr. McGee and Dr. Couillou address more current and future topics related to design, more specifically accessibility and inclusiveness. 

✨ Dr. Beth McGee is an Assistant Professor and the Program Coordinator of Interior Design at Georgia Southern University. Her research focuses on designing healthcare spaces and biophilic interior design methods. Her goal is to teach, create and research sustainable and biophilic design. Dr. McGee has helped students and design practitioners by creating and expanding the Biophilic Interior Design Matrix to help incorporate nature into various spaces. Through her experience, she has become passionate about human-centered design and creating healthy and beneficial spaces for everyone.  

✨ Dr. Ryan Couillou is an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University where he collaborates with Dr. Beth McGee in her research on biophilic design. He is one of the leaders of the REFLECT program, serving his community with consultation, outreach, and research resources. He is a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Aside from teaching, Dr. Couillou has worked in a variety of applied settings including mental health counseling at universities and assessing juvenile offenders. Currently, his research interests include action-based research and perceptions of the police.     


Materials Referenced in this Episode:

✨ Dr. McGee's research paper, "DIY Biophilia": https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joid.12159
✨ Dr. McGee's website: https://bethmcgee.wixsite.com/biophilicdesign

Description of series: Sci-Tea brings behavioral science researchers together with multidisciplinary practitioners and policymakers for open conversations that demonstrate how the value of research can extend far beyond publication. Join Dr. Nanci Weinberger and Ryan Linn Brown in the latest addition to Ryan’s Science, which is a cross-platform science communication outlet that fosters curiosity and excitement around scientific research. Grab your tea (or drink of choice!) and join the conversation! 

Connect with Ryan on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok for more content like this: https://www.ryanlinnbrown.com/links

✨ Credits ✨

🔹 Sci-Tea was created by Dr. Nanci Weinberger and Ryan Linn Brown

🔹 Music was generously made by Kyle Evans. Hear more: https://www.youtube.com/user/kyleevans81

🔹 Animated graphics were kindly made by Yoully Kang. Follow her on Instagram @dearyouily for more!

🔹 Background research by Mia Skowron

🔹 Edited by Ryan Linn Brown

🔹 Captions by Mia Skowron

🔹 Sci-Tea is supported by Bryant University's Center for Health and Behavioral Sciences