Cyndi Wiley is the Digital Accessibility Lead for Iowa State University and former Associate Professor of Art & Design at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. They began their career in the late ’90s in St. Louis, Missouri, working as a graphic designer and creative director, running a business, and developing a deep love of cats. They hold a Master of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and a PhD in Human Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. They reside in Des Moines, Iowa, with their partner, two dogs and four cats.
Their research interests relate to the intersection of art with STEM-based curriculum emphasizing creativity and creative thinking. Creative thinking drives innovation by moving away from status quo methods to avant garde methodology. This is achieved from combining seemingly unrelated sources and theories. It can seem bizarre at first, yet by incorporating theories from art, human computer interaction, feminist/womanist education, disability studies, and play from an anthropological and sociological base, students and faculty alike become mutually engaged. Underlying all of their research is inclusion, with focus on Digital Accessibility, LGBTQ+ issues, racial equity, anti-racist pedagogy, and social justice.
A former professor of art and design, their work has been published in Creative Quarterly: Journal of Art and Design, and presented at several international conferences. Their research explores the intersection of art with STEM-based curriculum emphasizing creativity, accessibility, gaming, and creative thinking.