Duri Long, PhD.

Assistant Professor, Communication Studies, Northwestern
Director, Creative Interfaces Research and Design Studio
ORCID 0000-0001-7613-0029
she / her

I am a human-centered AI researcher interested in issues surrounding AI literacy and human-AI interaction. My research looks to how humans interact and learn as a way of informing the design of public AI literacy interventions as well as the development of AI that can interact naturally and improvise creatively with people in complex social environments. I work with artists and museums around the country to develop co-creative, embodied exhibits and art installations involving AI and technology.

I received my PhD in Human Centered Computing from Georgia Tech with a specialization in Learning Sciences and Technology and a minor in Design Research. I completed my undergraduate studies at UNC Chapel Hill, where I received a BS in Computer Science with a second major in Dramatic Art.

Hasti Darabipourshiraz

Ph,D. Student, Computer Science
ORCID 0009-0001-6529-0112
she / her

I am a second-year PhD student in computer science, having embarked on this journey in September 2024. With a bachelor’s degree in computer science, my passion lies in designing engaging interfaces and creating educational tools. I specialize in developing museum exhibits and embodied activities that introduce children and novices to the fascinating world of technology and artificial intelligence. I prefer the design side of computer science because it allows me to work with colors and see the beautiful results immediately. My work aims to make complex technological concepts accessible and exciting for learners of all ages.

Molly de Blanc

Ph.D. student, Media, Technology & Society
ORCID 0009-0009-7511-6028
they / them

I work with medical device users and people with disabilities to understand the ways technological artifacts affect expression, experience, and identity during embodied creative collaborations. Before starting graduate school, I worked in non-profits and was involved in free and open source software communities. I have a master’s degree in Bioethics from New York University and a bachelor’s in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Aidan Fitzsimons

Ph,D. Student, Technology & Social Behavior
ORCID 0009-0003-5036-0872
he / him

I am a Ph.D. Student in Technology & Social Behavior with an additional graduate specialization in Cognitive Science. Co-advised by Dr. Duri Long and Dr. Elizabeth Gerber, I study how young adults are using AI writing tools to support developing and communicating a concept of self, especially in opportunity-seeking scenarios like educational admissions and job applications. Before coming to Northwestern, I received a B.S. in Math and a B.A. in Public Policy from Duke University and worked for two years as an AI Ethics fellow at Duke Law. I have all of the Catan expansion packs and would love to host a Catan night anytime.

Sophie Rollins

Ph.D. Student, Technology & Social Behavior
ORCID 0009-0004-5481-4824
she / her

Sophie is a first-year PhD student in Technology and Social Behavior working with Prof. Duri Long, and her research interests include fostering AI literacy, data privacy, and the spread of information within online creative communities. Before starting her PhD, Sophie received her BS/MS in Computer Science from Northwestern and worked as a Pre-doctoral Scholar on the AI literacy museum exhibit project. Outside of research, Sophie loves knitting and crocheting for herself and loved ones.

Richard Zhang

Ph.D. Student, Technology & Social Behavior
he / him

Richard Zhang is a fourth year PhD student in Technology and Social Behavior researching the practice and theoretical foundations of speculative design. His work incorporates a variety of perspectives ranging from literary theory to human computer interaction research. Outside of his interest in speculative design, he has worked on projects within science of science, game studies, and algorithmic resistance. His prior degrees are from Columbia University, where he obtained an M.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Natural Language Processing, as well a B.S. in Computer Science with minors in English and Philosophy.

Dev Ambani

Masters of Science in Artificial Intelligence
he / him

Dev Ambani is a Master’s student in Artificial Intelligence at Northwestern University, combining a solid foundation in electronics with advanced knowledge in AI and machine learning. He is deeply passionate about leveraging AI to solve complex, real-world problems. He has worked as an intern at Grainger, xMentium, and Sapours Technologies, holds a residency at the Garage at Northwestern, and has held research assistantships at Center of Advanced Safety for Machine Intelligence, Healee, and the University of Mumbai. Dev has been working with Hasti Darabipourshiraz on the DataBites project, as part of the Museum Exhibits to Foster AI Literacy project.

Maalvika Bhat

Ph.D. Candidate, Technology & Social Behavior, Northwestern
ORCID 0009-0003-3105-8053
she / her

Maalvika Bhat is a Ph.D. Candidate in Technology & Social Behavior. Under the guidance of Dr. Duri Long, she is studying human-AI interaction and designing explainable AI experiences that enable users to understand and trust the results generated by machine learning algorithms. She also investigates the science of science and the dynamics of online knowledge dissemination. Many things interest her: board games, cartography, farmers’ markets, book cover design, science museums, and maple syrup in waffle squares. However, she is most passionate about exploring how we exist on and with the internet.

Saunhee Han

Post-baccalaureate Scholar
she / her

Shannon Sauhee Han is a recent 2024 graduate from Northwestern University, where she majored in Communication Studies and minored in Computer Science with a focus on Media Arts & Game Design and Digital Media. Her passion lies in creating engaging and impactful user experiences across various media forms, from 2D animation to interactive games. She is also dedicated to learning how to make conscious design choices through user research for positive social and user impact. At Creative Interfaces, she works on UI/UX research, design, and front-end development.

In her free time, she enjoys walking, making accessories, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Taewook Kim

Ph.D. Student, Technology & Social Behavior, Northwestern
ORCID 0000-0003-4796-300X
he / him

Taewook Kim works on designing and building AI-powered tools to improve human-human communications by reshaping language content (e.g., messages, lyrics, writings). He enjoys building and evaluating interactive systems to help users personalize the language content to enhance authors’ expression and audiences’ comprehension by leveraging language models. His research has been supported by several Northwestern fellowship programs, including Graduate Fellowship (2021-2022), Design Cluster Fellowship (2022-2023), and Cognitive Science Fellowship (2023-2024). Recently, his work received a best paper honorable mention from ACM CHI 2024.

Prior to Northwestern, Taewook earned his M.Phil from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, and B.S. from Hanyang University in Seoul. During his undergraduate program, he served two years in the United States Army stationed in South Korea as an English-Korean translator (2013-2015).

Charlotte Li

Ph.D. student, Technology & Social Behavior, Northwestern
ORCID 0009-0004-8914-3717
she / her

Charlotte Li investigates how journalists explain, understand, and use artifical intelligence and other emerging technologies in their work. Advised by Dr. Nicholas Diakopoulos, Charlotte aims to improve how people derive insights from complex, raw data and to make mass communication of information more accessible and equitable. Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Columbia University and previously worked as a visual and data journalist at National Geographic and NBC News.

Lily Ng

Post-baccalaureate Scholar
she / her

Lily Ng is a 2024 graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in Learning Sciences with a concentration in the Design of Learning Environments, minored in Data Science, and completed a certificate in Civic Engagement. She is passionate about the multi-faceted intersections of education, whether it be STEM, design, identity development, community building, or play and exploration. She can frequently be found listening to music while biking around the lake (if the weather permits).

• Jesslyn Im, Communication Studies
• Lauren Lin, Learning Sciences
• Nyssa Shahdadpuri, Learning Sciences

• Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
• Georgia Tech Expressive Machinery Lab
• Georgia Tech TILES Lab
• Northwestern Delta Lab

• Jasmin Ali-Diaz, Manufacturing & Design Engineering
• Lauren Bichelmeir, Computer Science
• Katherine Hancock, Manufacturing & Design Engineering
• Samnang Nuonsinoeun, Manufacturing & Design Engineering and Computer Science
• Grace Shao, Communication Studies