Elena Sabinson

  • Assistant Professor
  • PRODUCT DESIGN
  • ARCHITECTURE

Human Behavior and Psychology | Architecture | Product Design | Digital Fabrication | Digital Technology | Speculative Design

Elena Sabinson is a design researcher engaged in trans-disciplinary work that operates at the boundaries of environmental design, psychology, and emerging technologies. Elena received a PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University. Elena’s doctoral research was completed in the Architectural Robotics Lab, where she worked on bio-informed, soft robotic surfaces embedded in the environment to support emotional wellbeing.

Prior to Cornell, Elena was an Assistant Teaching Professor at Drexel University in the department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, where she taught design visualization and studio courses. At Drexel, Elena also worked in the Design Futures Lab, exploring speculative and critical design, computational design, and digital fabrication processes. With a background in philosophy and creative writing, Elena’s passion for storytelling and ethics still guides her work.

Elena is fascinated with novel technologies and how to mindfully implement technological interactions in the environment so that they increase self-awareness and wellbeing. As a neurodivergent researcher, Elena is passionate about neurodiversity and design and is excited to conduct research that helps all people flourish in the environment across the full spectrum of human experiences.