Events Calendar

CS Colloquium: Neha Kumar (Georgia Institute of Technology) - Solidarity Through Design: Across Borders and Intersections

Speaker: Neha Kumar, Georgia Institute of Technology

Talk Title: Solidarity Through Design: Across Borders and Intersections

Series: CS Colloquium

Abstract: The field of human-computer interaction is increasingly engaging in technology design targeting underserved contexts, both across and beyond the global south. Populations in these parts may be socioeconomically disadvantaged, impacted by patriarchy, infrastructurally challenged, discriminated on account of caste or class, or all of the above. Dominant discourse considers access to mobile technologies a key asset for addressing these multiple forms of marginalization. However, there may be other assets as well---such as the presence of care, extensive social ties, or resilient sensibilities---that my work examines and leverages.

In my talk, I will present research conducted in three key areas of global development---access, health, and education---to discuss how we might engage in culturally relevant and appropriate technology design for populations across borders and intersections. Taking place in similar but different contexts across India, Cuba, and the United States, these projects highlight how lessons from one context might inform design in another.

This lecture satisfies requirements for CSCI 591: Research Colloquium. Please note, due to limited capacity, seats will be first come first serve.

Biography: Neha Kumar is an assistant professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research lies at the intersection of human-centered computing and global development. She received her Ph.D. from the School of Information at UC Berkeley in 2013. Before starting at Georgia Tech in 2015, she completed two postdoctoral assignments---the first at University of Washington's Computer Science and Engineering department and the second at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communication. She also holds two Master's degrees from Stanford University---in Computer Science and Learning, Design and Technology. Neha's research publications have received multiple awards at major conferences. She is an inaugural member of the ACM Future of Computing Academy. She received the Lockheed Inspirational Young Faculty award from Georgia Tech's College of Computing in 2017. She was also a recipient of Google's Anita Borg Scholarship and a Facebook Fellowships Finalist in 2012.

Host: Bistra Dilkina

Location: 100D

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Assistant to CS chair