Matthew J Briggs
- Assistant Professor of Practice, Engineering Academic Affairs
- Design Fellow, UArizona Health Sciences Design
- Director, Engineering Design Center
Biography
Matthew Briggs is the Director of the Engineering Design Center and an Assistant Professor of Practice jointly appointed in Engineering and Health Sciences Design at the University of Arizona, where he leads teaching, research, and infrastructure efforts at the intersection of design, engineering, health, and emerging technologies. His work focuses on experiential learning, makerspace innovation, and applied research that connects design practice with real-world impact.
He plays a central role in the development and operation of multiple university makerspaces, including the Engineering Design Center and the Health Sciences Design Makerspace, overseeing facilities, equipment, and student employees while advancing data-informed approaches to makerspace management and access. His instructional portfolio includes courses he developed in engineering design, design visualization, XR, and health-focused design practices, as well as contributions to the creation of the Health Sciences Design Graduate Certificate and a forthcoming minor.
Briggs is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research spanning digital audiology, AI-enabled design tools, extended reality, and makerspace environmental health. He leads and collaborates on Vertically Integrated Projects and grant-funded initiatives that integrate student learning with applied research, frequently presenting and publishing with students and colleagues. Across teaching, research, and service, his work emphasizes inclusive making, applied design research, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into higher education.
Degrees
- M.F.A. Design for Emerging Technologies
- the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- B.A. Digital Culture: Design
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States
- B.S. Graphic Infromation Technology: Interactive Systems
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2025 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2023 - Ongoing)
- Gateway Community College (2021 - 2023)
- the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2017 - 2021)
Interests
Research
Applied design research, Digital audiology and 3D printing, design interaction, Makerspace health and safety, Design for emerging technologies
Teaching
Engineering design education, Health sciences design, Makerspace-based learning, Design visualization and fabrication, Emerging Technologies
Courses
No activities entered.
Scholarly Contributions
Presentations
- Briggs, M. J. (2025, July).
Exploring Extended Reality Signage in Makerspaces and Shops
. Student Shop Managers Consortium. Houston, Tx: Rice. - Briggs, M. J., & Eglen, T. (2025, July).
Reimagining Recycling: How Universities Can Activate Student-Led Circular Solutions
. Makerspaces for Innovation and Research in Academics. Virtual: Makerspaces for Innovation and Research in Academics. - Briggs, M. J., Heidgerken-Greene, A., & Jones, B. (2025, July).
Communications Committee update
. Student Shop Manager Consortium. Rice University, Houston TX: Student Shop Manager Consortium. - Nichols, J. T., Davis, G. E., Gibbs, G., & Briggs, M. J. (2025, June).
Building an XR collaborative: Strategies for sustainable immersive learning support at an R-1 institution
. Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN). Chicago: Illionois Institute of Technology. - Wong, B. M., & Briggs, M. J. (2025, April).
Exploring the Role of 3D Technology in Enhancing Hearing Healthcare
. Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Tempe, Az: Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. - Briggs, M. J., Grotz, L., Heidgerken-Greene, A., Rizzo, J., & Crago, G. (2024, July).
Technical Committee: Shop Safety Culture and Introductory Projects
. Student Shop Manager Consortium. University of Hawai'i - Manoa: Student Shop Manager Consortium. - Briggs, M. J., Sanchez, N. P., & Nichols, J. T. (2024). Strategic Collaboration for De-siloing University Makerspaces. Makerspaces for Innovation and Research in Academics Conference. Virtual.More infoThe University of Arizona supports several makerspaces, administered by various units, including Engineering, Health Sciences, Art, Architecture and the Libraries. This session will provide an overview of the development of a makerspace network, started between the Library makerspace, CATalyst Studios, the Engineering Design Center (EDC) in the College of Engineering, and the Health Sciences Design Makerspace in the College of Health Sciences. We will address successes, failures, and barriers with implementing a strategic alignment of training protocols, equipment purchases, and policies across these spaces. We started this network in an effort to increase transdisciplinary collaboration, to establish a shared knowledge base across the maker network, and foster communities of practice across and within these makerspaces. In the session we will provide specific examples, including the unification of 3D printer authorizations and the implementation of a shop management system (GRIT Automation) followed be a demonstration of these systems and an opportunity for participants to contribute to an asynchronous discussion on strategic de-siloing within their own institutions.
Poster Presentations
- Briggs, M. J., Carter, B., Scheder Black, A., & Nadendla, K. (2025, April).
AI and XR Studio Showcase
. Vertically Integrated Projects Poster Session. Tucson, Az: University of Arizona Vertically Integrated Projects. - Briggs, M. J., Sawyer, T. W., Budinoff, H. D., Froberg, L., West, M., Perry, S., Scott, T., Sepulveda, D., Janssen, S., & Perez-Gamboa, E. (2025, August).
3D Printer Plastic Filament Verification System
. International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces. Berkeley, CA: The Higher Education Makerspaces Initative. - Briggs, M. J., Wong, B. M., Armstrong, P., Avouris, E., Cadena, V., Hulin, A., & McIntyre, K. (2025, April).
Shaping the Future of Hearing Healthcare with 3D Technology
. Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Tempe, Az: Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. - Briggs, M. J., Wong, B. M., Armstrong, P., Avouris, E., Cadena, V., Hulin, A., & McIntyre, K. (2025, April).
Shaping the Future of Hearing Healthcare with 3D Technology
. Vertically Integrated Projects Poster Session. Tucson, Az: University of Arizona Vertically Integrated Projects. - Briggs, M. J., Wong, B. M., Armstrong, P., Avouris, E., Cadena, V., Hulin, A., McIntyre, K., Correia, T., & Nguyen, K. (2025, April).
Shaping Sounds: 3D-Printed Ear molds for Hearing Aids and the Quest for Optimal Acoustics
. Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Tempe, Az: Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association. - Briggs, M. J., Wong, B. M., Armstrong, P., Avouris, E., Cadena, V., Hulin, A., McIntyre, K., Correia, T., & Nguyen, K. (2025, April).
Shaping Sounds: 3D-Printed Ear molds for Hearing Aids and the Quest for Optimal Acoustics
. Vertically Integrated Projects Poster Session. Tucson, Az: University of Arizona Vertically Integrated Projects.
Others
- Briggs, M. J., Patterson, D. K., Scheder Black, A., & Buckner, M. J. (2025, November).
XR Collaborative Panel Discussion
. https://ucatt.arizona.edu/news/university-arizona-hosts-inaugural-xr-summit-advancing-immersive-learning-and-innovation - Briggs, M. J. (2023, August).
Preconference: CATalyst Studios: Panel Discussion
. Designing Libraries.
