My name is Paula, or Pa'a for short.
I'm an award-winning multiprofessional with 20 years of experience.
As an independent consultant, educator and researcher within British SMEs, my role entails overseeing the integration of user, business, and technology experiences. This involves serving as a user advocate, devising complex user research, and mentoring employees.
Additionally, since publishing my first book in 2011, I've established myself as a public speaker. I passionately share my expertise on a diverse range of topics. These include cognitive psychology in the realm of user experience & behaviour change design, the nuances of employability & performance, the techniques of stress reduction, and wilderness access & expedition planning.
Furthermore, my academic background in digital design has cultivated a strong affiliation with artistic communities, thus enabling me to contribute as an assistant and artist's model.
More recently, I've embarked on an enriching academic journey driven by my aspirations to become a scholar-practitioner of Indic religious studies. This pursuit builds upon my successful completion of yoga teacher training and years of experience as a teacher.
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Self-employed
Offering expert consulting, mentoring, and brand development services with a specialisation in enhancing websites, mobile apps, and social media for improved user engagement. Experience extends to conducting nuanced user research in challenging domains. Clients include HealthPad CIC, Working Planet Ltd, Echoes Ltd, I’ve Got Your Back Rebecca Cunningham, The Dreaming Circle Ricardo Goni, and more.
Self-employed
Delivering webinars, presentations, talks, and workshops to schools, charities, businesses, and conferences on topics such as mental health, mindfulness & stress management, wilderness access & expedition planning, user-centred software design & planning, as well as employability & entrepreneurship. Clients include Bristol Autism Support charity, City College Plymouth, Arts University Plymouth, Venturefest South, User Replay Ltd, Adventure Stories, and more.
Self-employed
Providing life modelling services to schools, art galleries, and individual artists, working in a variety of mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, digital, and photography. Interpreting artist’s vision, utilising physical endurance, yoga-boosted flexibility, and meditation, as well as creating a comfortable and productive working environment. Notable clients include award-winning painter Gregory Mason, TV storyboarder Rob Pybus, Helen Wheatley and Cheryll Kinsley Potter at Birdwood House Art Gallery, Sara Sullivan at Plymouth College, and Jason Parker of Rhythm Media.
Self-employed
Leading Rāja & Haṭha Yoga one-on-ones, group classes and retreats in various settings – studios, gyms, business parks, beaches, yachts, homes, and online via Zoom. Notable venues and partners include Naleia Yachting International, Blue Chip Holidays Ltd, Exeter Golf and Country Club, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cowork Ventures Ltd, Michelmores LLP, Lotus Loft Yoga Centre, Exeter Phoenix, and more.
Part-time · Good With Ltd · Reporting to CEO · ERDF EPIC & Innovate UK funding Planning and conducting in-depth research on the intersection of mental health, financial education, and AI technology. Utilising methods such as user interviews, academic paper reviews, and usability testing. Analysing data, producing insights & reports, and prototyping and testing solutions tailored to Gen Z. Leveraging outcomes to devise effective UX strategy and inform other areas of business.
Full-time · Duesday Ltd · Reporting to CEO · ERDF & private funding Managing a team of five responsible for curating an optimal user experience for Millennials and Gen X across all products and channels. Conducting research and prototyping and testing solutions addressing the challenges arising from financial hardship and billing constraints. Working collaboratively in areas such as brand, design, marketing, sales, usability, and user support to ensure a seamless experience for the target audience.
Full-time · blur Group Plc / Maistro Ltd · Reporting to UX Director Designing and FE-developing digital tools for project management and business matching. Ensuring consistent brand identity across products. Conducting usability audits and tests for optimal user experience. Fostering collaboration between design and development teams.
Self-employed
Full-time · All-In Design Ltd
Full-time · Hanza Creative Agency
Contract · Slajd Magazine
Self-employed
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MY EDUCATION
MY PUBLICATIONS


MY COURSES & AWARDS
Agile Leadership by Software Cornwall
Copywriting by NLP Eddu Club
Data Viz by David McCandless / Information is Beautiful
Developing Innovative Ideas by University of Maryland
GDPR Compliance Training by HSQE
Hill and Moorland Leader by Mountain Training
Integrated Skills in English (III/C1) by Trinity College London 🏆
Intro to Counselling (Level 2) by National Counselling Society
Leadership & Management (Level 3 Award) by CMI 🏆
MBSR by Health & Care Professions Council
NLP Practitioner Training by Chris Howard
Process-Oriented Psychology by START
Teacher Training by Code Club Pro
Understanding Media by Northwestern University
User Experience Workshopping by Mekonta
Exeter Startup Weekend (1st Place Award) by Google 🏆
Yoga Teacher Diploma (500 hours) by Devon School of Yoga
MY VOLUNTEERING
South West Adventurers
Sarasi Rogers Systemic Constellations
Camerimage Film Festival
TV ProMok
The Red Cross
Contact Pa'a
Let's start with a free intro crafted just for you!