ACADEMIC Research
Lead Researcher
Topic: Exploring shared experiences of parents and their LGBTQIA+ youth after cooperative gameplay
Senior researcher for a grant-funded project designed to address LGBTQIA+ youth issues such as coming out, relationships, identity, family/close network support, and similar using cooperative gameplay and narrative inquiry. Interviews are actively being conducted on parents/guardians and their LGBTQIA+ youth after playing the video game Gone Home. Interview questions are centered around the shared experience of playing together and exploring topics that may have come up due to the storyline.
Lead Researcher
Topic: Using Instagram and Selfies to Explore Body Image in Gender Diverse Individuals
Designed and conducted a research project using mixed-method thematic analysis on 500+ Instagram posts and thousands of hashtags. Pioneered equity and inclusivity in coding methods for social networking data. Concluded that body modification is a better predictor of self-acceptance than a sense of unity (or disjunction) between gender identity and body image. In contrast to prior research, this finding suggests that not all gender diverse individuals experience dysphoria or desire to align with a particular gender. The research poster won “Outstanding Achievement in Research” at the 2019 FGU conference. Read more about this study at https://www.fielding.edu/news/the-intersection-of-media-and-gender-diversity/
Click the poster to download.
Lead Researcher
Topic: Has Increased Media Representation and Celebrity Disclosure Impacted Views on Transgender Identity? A Survey of Transgender Individuals and How They are Seen by Others
Designed a multi-layered online survey and recruited 281 respondents from transgender and non-transgender populations. This research found that increased media representation has not measurably improved self-perception or self-efficacy in the transgender community, but has increased rates of self-disclosure (coming out). This research reveals the need for more communication between the transgender community, media outlets, and the general public, as well as the need for subsequent research aimed at discovering ways to improve the well-being of the transgender community. View the slides:https://www.slideshare.net/aidengator/transgender-media-representations-in-2016
project management & consulting
dfrntpigeon
Managed a 6-month multi-phase project that raised awareness and funds for a social purpose enterprise that provides job training and mentorship opportunities for young creatives. In partnership with leading Portland design agencies (Wieden + Kennedy, Swift, Laundry Service, and eROI), I supervised a limited edition product release focused on queerness and pride history designed by LGBTQIA+ youth. This project included an art festival, a downtown Portland mural, event production, product development, and transmedia marketing.
Brews for New Avenues
Tasked with evaluating and rebranding a multi-million dollar annual event for a prestigious non-profit organization. Presented research outcomes and suggestions to the executive board and senior leadership. View the slides at tinyurl.com/zbxdcwp1
PODCASTS & posts
“How to create inclusive personas” on UX Untamed with Julieth Fajardo
“Building UX personas that cultivate empathy, instead of bias” on The Conduit: A Product & Tech Blog
News & media
“The Intersection of Media and Gender Diversity” (June 9, 2020). Fielding Graduate University. https://www.fielding.edu/news/the-intersection-of-media-and-gender-diversity/
“Our Existence is Resistance: Coping, resiliency, and community for trans and gender diverse people” (Summer 2019 Issue). Focus Magazine. Fielding Graduate University. https://issuu.com/fieldinggraduateuniversity/docs/fielding_focus_inclusion_s19_final/16
Conferences & SPEAKING
“Escaping Research Island: Getting Teams to Continuous Discovery Continent.” (2023). Presenter at Maze Disco Conf
“The Digital Rainbow: Effects of Representation on Sexual & Gender Minorities.” (2021). Speaker at the University of San Diego.
“Social Justice, Media, and the New Normal.” (2020). Panel for the Virtual Media Psychology Symposium.
“Perspectives on Pride: Stonewall to the Supreme Court and Beyond.” (2019). Panel for the Santa Barbara Independent.
“Media Representation of Stigmatized Communities-Past, Present, and Future.” (2019). Symposium presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Convention, Chicago, IL.
“Equity and inclusivity in coding methods for social networking data.” (2018). Workshop at the International Gender and Sexuality Studies Conference, Oklahoma City, OK.
“New media theory, identity, and community.” (2017). Lecture at the University of North Texas.
“Creating gender-affirming spaces and fostering new community.” (2017). Speaker at Hugh O’ Brian Youth Leadership Summer Summit, Sacramento, CA.
“Media literacy and education.” (2016). Speaker at Twitter HQ Digital Citizenship Summit, San Francisco, CA.
“Intersectionality of transgender and gender nonconforming identities.” (2016). Speaker at Fielding Graduate University Winter Session, Santa Barbara, CA.
“#DigitalSweep: Declutter your digital self.” (2016). Speaker at Brain Tease, Dallas, TX. View slides at https://www.slideshare.net/aidengator/braintease-digitalsweep-declutter-your-digital-life
Books & Articles
Hirshfield, A., & Metcalf, M. (2020). What Do LGBTQIA+ Characters and Representations Mean to a Marginalized Audience? In Real Characters: The Psychology of Parasocial Relationships with Media Characters (pp. 215-233). Santa Barbara, CA: Fielding University Press.
Hirshfield, A. (2019). Using Instagram and selfies to explore body image in gender diverse individuals (Publication No. 13904334) [Doctoral dissertation, Fielding Graduate University]. Proquest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Hirshfield, A., & Metcalf, M. (2019). Using Instagram selfies to explore body image in gender diverse individuals. Poster presented at Fielding Graduate University Winter Session, Santa Barbara, CA.
Hirshfield, A. (2015). Has increased media representation and celebrity disclosure impacted views on transgender identity? A survey of transgender individuals and how they are seen by others [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Fielding Graduate University.
AWARDS & Honors
Sequoia Leadership Award | West Monroe | 2023
Dianne Kipnes Social Innovation Award | Fielding Graduate University | 2022
Outstanding Achievement in Research | Fielding Graduate University | 2019
Mike Neal Award | Fielding Graduate University | 2017 | Selected by a committee of faculty, students, and alumni for demonstrating strengths in the areas of collaboration, scholarship, innovation, advocacy and social influence, and extending the impact of media psychology.
Academic Scholarship | Fielding Graduate University | 2017
Magna Cum Laude | California State University at Northridge | 2013
Dean’s List | California State University at Northridge | 2013
President’s Honors | California State University at Northridge | 2013
Gold Award | Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles | 2009
Presidential Award for Community Service United States of America | 2009
Memberships & Affiliations
Out in Tech | Mentor
Customer Experience Program at Bellvue College | Program Advisor
Institute for Social Innovation | Post-doctoral Fellow
Interaction Design Foundation | Member
American Psychological Association (APA) | Member
Association for Psychological Science (APS) | Member
Student Governance at Fielding Graduate University | Former President
Student Affairs Committee at Fielding Graduate University | Former Member
Gamma Rho Lambda at California State University, Northridge | Former Board Member
Gamma Sigma Alpha at California State University, Northridge | Former Board Member
Phi Theta Kappa at Santa Barbara City College | Former Member
LGBTQIA+ Student Alliance at Semester at Sea | Former President