Do you feel a SPARK?: Studying the Spectrum of Physiological Awe, Resilience, and Knowing

Brya K. Patterson, et al., Spring 2026, University of Washington, MS Information Management (MSIM)

June 6, 2026 Brya K. Patterson

According to the World Health Organization, over 30% of college students screen positive for a mental disorder being prevalent within the last 12 months (Auerbach et. al, 2018). This research study aims to gain more understanding and insight into correlations between awe and mental wellbeing to identify possible strategies to support mental health. It will specifically focus on the college student population because this is a common stage in life where many people face mental health challenges that could benefit from data-driven support.

Case Study: Adapting Scrum for Data Analytics Teams

Brya K. Patterson, Scrum Master & Agile Practitioner, Complaint Insights Case Study (2024–2026)

March 1, 2026 Brya K. Patterson

This case study explores the adaptation of the Scrum framework for a specialized Data Analytics team, moving away from traditional software engineering "product" delivery toward a high-velocity, insight-driven workflow. It documents a two-phase transformation that began in 2024, focusing on balancing leadership requirements for visibility and prioritization with the team's need for autonomy and psychological safety. The narrative details how standard Scrum events were consolidated into a 1.5-hour "Team Sync" to maximize focus time, and how modern tooling—including Jira automation and AI-driven synthesis—was leveraged to provide transparent "receipts" of work for senior stakeholders.