Lecturer
CSCW, Affective Computing
I am a Lecturer and Human-Centered Computing researcher in Information Systems at UMBC. I lead the INtimate Social IT (INSĪT, as in “insight”) Lab.
My research investigates how technologies mediate communication with ourselves (i.e., self-reflection) and our closest others-–friends, family, romantic partners. Primarily through qualitative, critical analysis of interviews and in situ observations, I expose how technologies presumed to be neutral are actually persuasive mediums for storytelling, identity-making, and empowerment. My goal is to support design of systems that can build empathy and bridge cultural divides.
I recently completed a postdoc with Shaun Kane at UMBC exploring how technologies mediate relationships between sighted and blind individuals. I earned my PhD in Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Tech under mentorship of Steve Harrison.