Lisa Sayles
Lisa Sayles is an educator and communication specialist with more than two decades of experience designing and delivering professional learning in research methods, impact evaluation, and public engagement. As Director of Education at the Institute for Methods Innovation, she leads curriculum development for Fast Track Impact, with a focus on interactive online course design, clear learning outcomes, and practical application. She also serves as Professor of Communication Studies at College of the Redwoods, where she teaches applied communication and supports faculty development in online teaching and digital accessibility.
Lisa designs and delivers workshops that strengthen researchers’ capacity to plan engagement, evaluate outcomes, and present evidence with clarity. Her training draws on established learning design practice and includes facilitation methods for productive meetings, approaches to presenting for impact in virtual and in-person settings, and strategies for building a purposeful digital profile while managing risks to time and reputation. She has delivered sessions in the United States and Europe for researchers, educators, and nonprofit teams.
Funded projects
Lisa led the educational and engagement components of Project Ô (2018-2022, European Commission Horizon 2020 Innovation Action) as part of IMI’s team, integrating evidence-based training materials to foster social impact through community education. This €10.6 million project demonstrated new approaches and technologies for circular, integrated water management. Her work ensured that research outputs were translated into accessible learning experiences for stakeholders and the public, contributing to the project’s wider impact.
Lisa was a Visual Communication Specialist at the University of Warwick in 2015, where she contributed expertise in visual communication to a research initiative. In this role, Lisa helped design effective outreach and educational materials, applying principles of visual rhetoric and audience engagement to support the project’s goals. This funded project enabled her to bridge academic research with creative communication strategies to foster broader public understanding.
Publications
Lisa authored the chapter “Subversively Funny: Critical Humour in Art,” published in Culture and Social Change: Transforming Society through the Power of Ideas, edited by B. Wagoner, E. Jensen, and J. Oldmeadow.
Academic and professional background
- Professor of Communication Studies, College of the Redwoods, teaching since 2013 across core communication subjects and applied professional skills.
- Distance Education Faculty Coordinator, College of the Redwoods, leading staff training in online pedagogy, accessibility, and learning design.
- Master of Science in Communication Studies, Portland State University.
- Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art, Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University.
