People

Earl W. Huff Jr., Ph.D. – Co-Founder/Director

Earl Huff is an Assistant Professor in the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. His research is in the areas of HCI, computing education, and broadening participation. Earl applies human-centered approaches in designing and developing more equitable and inclusive technology, with an emphasis on accessibility. He’s also interested in increasing diversity in the computing and information sciences by developing interventions to improve students’ awareness, access, and self-efficacy from historically excluded populations.

Angela D. R. Smith, Ph.D. – Co-Founder/Director

Angela Smith is an Assistant Professor at the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research is in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, and Information Sciences. Angela’s current research explores how critical and intersectional theoretical lenses can inform an assets-based participatory design of technologies to support historically marginalized groups, such as individuals of color and individuals experiencing houselessness, in pursuing sustainable, emancipatory transformations and socially responsible technology experiences.

Kenneth R. Fleischmann, Ph.D. — Professor, School of Information

Ken Fleischmann is a Professor in the School of Information at the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Founding Chair of the Executive Team for Good Systems, a UT Grand Challenge  the Founding Director of Undergraduate Studies for the iSchool’s B.S.I./B.A. in Informatics  and the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the ACM Journal on Responsible Computing  Ken’s research focuses on technology and society, particularly on ethical AI and the design of human-AI partnerships that can result in a more equitable and harmonious society. His research has explored themes such as broadening participation in computing and information technology, using AI to improve social services for people experiencing homelessness, using AI to safeguard worker safety and job security, designing accessible information technologies, and working toward racial equity in information technology design.

Kayla Booth, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Instruction, School of Information

Kayla M. Booth is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin. She is the PI and Director of the iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3) (i3-inclusion.org), an award-winning, national undergraduate research and leadership development program that prepares students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences. As an educator, Dr. Booth collaboratively builds courses and experiences rooted in cultural humility that empower students to apply human-centered values to data, information, and technology in pursuit of a more equitable world in ways that align with their skills, interests, and passions.

Taylor M. Smith – Information Studies Doctoral Student

Taylor M. Smith is a doctoral student whose research explores, evaluates, and designs approaches to inclusive + ethical Artificial Intelligence in the development of EdTech. Her research has roots in Data Science, Machine Learning, and Human-AI Interaction/Human-Computer Interaction. Taylor earned a bachelor’s in Political Science from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and a master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

Gabriella Thompson – Information Studies Master’s Student

Gabriella Thompson is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Information Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her graduate focus is User-Experience Design, and her research is situated within the fields of Human-Computer Interaction and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin, and intends to apply her background in human behavior to research and create equitable interfaces that can support and uplift marginalized individuals.

Usma Asif – Informatics Student

Usma Asif is an undergraduate student in the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. She pursuing a degree in Informatics with a concentration in User Experience Design. Usma is passionate about creating technology that is accessible to use and has access to all groups. She seeks to contribute to a more fair and inclusive technology environment through her study and activities, where everyone has the chance to flourish and fully engage in the digital era.

Saloni Sharma – Informatics Student

Saloni Sharma is a second-year undergraduate informatics student hoping to concentrate in User Experience (UX) Design or Human-Centred Data Science.Her fascination with AI technology has sparked a passion for exploring its applications in our daily lives. As a part of this research project, Saloni is very excited to delve into the possibilities of AI in education, focusing on personalization, collaboration, and equitable access to knowledge. By combining her education in informatics with a human-centric approach, she aspires to contribute to the intersection of higher education through AI technology.

Alesandra Baca-Vazquez – Informatics Student

Alesandra is an undergraduate student and an iSchool Inclusion Institute research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a double concentration in Social Justice Informatics and User Experience Design. Her research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Social Computing, and Online-Based Community Aid. She is the first undergraduate student to start an Honors Thesis in the Informatics program and hopes to start a Ph.D. in Information Science in the Fall of 2024.