Affiliate Positions
- Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Washington, Department of Human-Centered Design and Engineering
- Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering
- Research Affiliate, CERES Research Center
Specializations
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Ubiquitous Computing
- User-Centered Design
Research Areas
Courses
- INSC 500 - Faculty Seminar
Biography
Alexis Hiniker is an Assistant Professor in the Information School at the University of Washington and Director of the User Empowerment Lab. Through her work in human-computer interaction and ubiquitous computing, she investigates the ways in which everyday technologies make life worse for their users. Hiniker combines user-centered design methods with theory from a variety of disciplines to design, implement and evaluate new technical systems. Her current projects focus on compulsive technology use, dark patterns, voice interfaces, and arguments online. She has a PhD in Human Centered Design and Engineering from the University of Washington, an M.A. in Learning, Design and Technology from Stanford University, and an A.B. in Computer Science from Harvard University.
Education
- Ph D, Human Centered Design and Engineering, University of Washington, 2017
- MA, Learning, Design and Technology, Stanford University, 2012
- BA, Computer Science, Harvard University, 2005
Awards
- Jacobs Foundation Early Career Fellow (top 2%) - Jacobs Foundation, 2020-2023
- Best Paper Award (top 1%) - ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing (CHI), 2023
- Best paper honorable mention (top 5%) - CHI conference, 2023
- Google Research Scholar Award - Google, 2023
- Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor nominee - University of Washington, 2023
- Most Influential Scholar in HCI, Honorable Mention - AMiner, 2023
- Digital Leader nominee - Globant Women that Build, 2022
- Most Influential Scholar in HCI, Honorable Mention - AMiner, 2022
- Special Recognition for Outstanding Reviews - CHI Conference, 2022
- Best Paper Award (top 1%) - ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing (CHI), 2019
- Jacobs Foundation Early Career Fellowship Finalist - Jacobs Foundation, 2019
- Special Recognition for Outstanding Reviews - ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing (CHI), 2019
- Facebook Fellowship finalist, 2016-2017
- Microsoft Research Fellowship finalist, 2016-2017
- Sesame Workshop Dissertation Fellowship, 2016-2017
- Best paper nomination for "Evaluating an iPad Game..." (top 7 papers) - ASSETS conference, 2017
- Best paper nomination for "Play & Play..." (top 3 papers [< 3%]) - IDC conference, 2017
- Best paper honorable mention (top 5%) - CHI conference, 2016
- Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Female Award - University of Washington, 2016
- Special Recognition Award for exceptional reviewing - CHI conference, 2016
- Google Anita Borg Scholarship, 2013-2014
- Shobe Prize for student entrepreneurs, 2012-2013
- Children’s Technology Review Award for Excellence in Design - Children’s Technology Review, 2013
- Parents’ Choice Gold Award for Best Mobile App - Parents’ Choice, 2013
- University of Washington Student Research Award (one per department) - University of Washington, 2013
- Women’s Net Amber Grant Award - Women’s Net, 2013
- Duca Fund Master’s Project Grant - Stanford University, 2012
- University of Washington Kenney Fellowship, 2012
- School of Education Tuition Fellowship - Stanford University, 2011
- Harvard Faculty Scholar - Harvard University, 2005
- Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching - Harvard University, 2005
- Nominee for the Derek C. Bok Award for excellence in teaching - Harvard University, 2005
- Harvard Faculty Scholar - Harvard University, 2004
- Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching - Harvard University, 2004
- Nominee for the Derek C. Bok Award for excellence in teaching - Harvard University, 2004
- Harvard Faculty Scholar - Harvard University, 2003
- John Harvard Honorary Scholar - Harvard University, 2002
Publications and Contributions
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Conference PaperFrom Text to Self: Users’ Perception of AIMC Tools on Interpersonal Communication and Self (2024)Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '24),, pp. 17
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Conference PaperDeceptive Design Patterns in Safety Technologies: A Case Study of the Citizen App (2023)Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '23),, pp. 18
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Conference ProceedingLet Kids Wonder, Question and Make Mistakes: How the Designers of Children’s Technology Think about Child Well-being (2023)Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference
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Journal Article, Academic JournalParents’ ontological beliefs regarding the use of conversational agents at home: resisting the neoliberal discourse (2023)Journal of Learning, Media, and Technology, 49(2), pp. 290-305
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Conference PaperSelf-Talk with Superhero Zip: Supporting Children’s Socioemotional Learning with Conversational Agents (2023)Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (IDC '23), pp. 173-186
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Conference PaperSwitchTube: A Proof-of-Concept System Introducing “Adaptable Commitment Interfaces” as a Tool for Digital Wellbeing (2023)Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’23),, pp. 22
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CommentsComments to the Federal Trade Commission re: Commercial Surveillance ANPR, R111004 (2022)Federal Trade Commission 2022
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Journal Article, Academic JournalExamining voice assistants in the context of children’s speech (2022)International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 34(100540)
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Conference PaperMonitoring Screen Time or Redesigning It? Two Approaches to Supporting Intentional Social Media Use (2022)Proceedings of the 40th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’22)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalPrevalence and Characteristics of Manipulative Design in Mobile Applications Used by Children (2022)JAMA Netw Open, 5(6)
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Workshop PaperReclaiming attention: A Christian perspective prioritizing relationships in the design of technology (2022)ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Workshop on "Integrating Religion, Faith, and Spirituality in HCI"
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Journal Article, Academic JournalReclaiming attention: Christianity and HCI (2022)ACM Interactions, 29(4), pp. 40-44
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Workshop PaperSIG on Designing for Constructive Conflict (2022)SIG organizer. Extended abstracts of the 39th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI Extended Abstracts ’22)
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Conference PaperShame on Who? Experimentally Reducing Shame During Political Arguments on Twitter (2022)Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, CSCW
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Conference PaperSocial Emotional Learning with Conversational Agents: Reviewing Current Designs and Probing Parents' Ideas for Future Ones (2022)Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (IMWUT), 6(2), pp. 1-23
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Workshop PaperTechnologies For Children At Home: Exploring Ways To Support Caregivers With Child-friendly Media Technologies For The Home (2022)ACM Conference on Supporting Group Work (GROUP ‘22)
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Conference Paper‘I Don’t Even Remember What I Read’: How Design Influences Dissociation on Social Media (2022)Proceedings of the 40th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’22)
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Conference PaperCan Conversational Agents Change the Way Children Talk to People? (2021)Proceedings of the 20th Annual ACM Conference on Interaction Design and Children (IDC ’21)
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Workshop PaperFinding a New Path for HCIC (2021)Human Computer Interaction Consortium 2021: Accessibility (HCIC ’21)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalFrom Moral Panic to Systemic Change: Making Child- Centered Design the Default (2021)International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, Special Issue in Review Articles in Child-Computer Interaction Research
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Conference PaperHow the Design of YouTube Influences User Sense of Agency (2021)Proceedings of the 39th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’21)
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Conference PaperIs Someone Listening? Audio Related Privacy Perceptions and Design Recommendations from Guardians, Pragmatists, and Cynics (2021)Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (IMWUT),, 5(3), pp. 1-23
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White PaperLearning together: Adapting methods for family and community research during a pandemic (2021)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalParenting in a pandemic: Juggling multiple roles and managing technology use in family life during COVID-19 (2021)ACM Computer Supported Collaborative Work
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Journal Article, Academic JournalSomeone is Wrong on the Internet: Having Hard Conversations in Online Spaces (2021)Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interactions (CSCW)
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Conference PaperUnderstanding Blind Screen Reader Users' Experiences of Digital Artboards (2021)Proceedings of the 39th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems
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Workshop PaperWhat Can CHI Do About Dark Patterns? (2021)Extended abstracts of the 38th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI Extended Abstracts ’21)
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Conference PaperWhen screen time isn’t screen time: Tensions and needs between tweens and their parents during nature-based exploration (2021)Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21)
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Conference PaperWould You Rather: A Focus Group Method for Eliciting and Discussing Formative Design Insights with Children (2021)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalA Privacy-Focused Systematic Analysis of Online Status Indicators (2020)Proceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies Symposium (PoPETS), 3(Unknown Issue), pp. 384-403
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Journal Article, Academic JournalAssumptions Checked: How Families Learn About and Use the Echo Dot (2020)Proc. ACM Interact. Mob. Wearable Ubiquitous Technol., 4(1)
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Conference PaperFrom Ancient Contemplative Practice to the App Store: Designing a Digital Container for Mindfulness (2020)Proceedings of the ACM conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS '20), pp. 1551-1564
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Conference PaperOtter this World: Can a Mobile Application Promote Children’s Connectedness to Nature? (2020)Interaction Design and Children (IDC 2020), pp. 444-457
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Conference PaperParenting with Alexa: Exploring the Introducation of Smart Speakers on Family Dynamics (2020)Proceedings of the 38th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '20), pp. 1-13
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Conference PaperUser Experiences with Online Status Indicators (2020)Proceedings of the 38th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '20), pp. 1-12
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Conference Paper"Everything's the Phone": Understanding the Phone’s Supercharged Role in Parent-Teen Relationships (2019)Proceedings of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’19), 227(Unknown Issue), pp. 1-14
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Conference Workshop Paper"Will You Kill Me in My Sleep?": An Agenda to Study Children's Perceptions of Creepiness and Technologies (2019)Extended Abstracts of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI EA ’19), pp. 1-5
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Conference PaperAnchored Audio Sampling: A Seamless Method for Exploring Children’s Thoughts and Reactions During Deployment Studies (2019)Proceedings of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '19), 8(Unknown Issue), pp. 1-13
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Conference PaperCommunication Breakdowns Between Families and Alexa (2019)Proceedings of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’19), 243(Unknown Issue), pp. 1-13
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Conference Workshop PaperDesigning for Digital Wellbeing: A Research & Practice Agenda (2019)Extended Abstracts of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI EA ’19), pp. 1-8
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Workshop PaperDesigning for Digital Wellbeing: A Research & Practice Agenda (2019)Workshop at the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’19 Extended Abstracts))
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Journal Article, Academic JournalIntentional Technology Use In Early Childhood Education (2019)Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, CSCW, 3(78), pp. 1-22
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Conference PaperLaughing is Scary, but Farting is Cute: A Conceptual Model of Children's Perspectives of Creepy Technologies (2019)Proceedings of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’19), 73(Unknown Issue), pp. 1-15
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Conference PaperLights, Music, Stamps! Evaluating Mealtime Tangibles for Preschoolers (2019)Proceedings of the 13th annual ACM conference on tangible, embedded, and embodied interactions (TEI ’19), pp. 127-134
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Conference PaperModeling the Engagement-Disengagement Cycle of Compulsive Phone Use (2019)Proceedings of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’19), 312(Unknown Issue), pp. 1-14
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Workshop PaperMoving Beyond the Great Screen Time Debate in the Design of Technology for Children (2019)Extended Abstracts of the 37th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI EA ’19), pp. 1-6
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Conference PaperNo Touch Pig! Investigating Child-Parent Use of a System for Training Executive Function (2019)Proceedings of the 18th annual ACM conference on interaction design and children (IDC '19), pp. 339-351
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Journal Article, Academic JournalUnderstanding Parents’ Perspectives on Mealtime Technology (2019)Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (IMWUT)), 3(1), pp. 1-19
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Conference PaperCoco’s Videos: An Empirical Investigation of Video-Player Design Features and Children's Media Use (2018)Proceedings of the 36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18), pp. 254:1-13
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Journal Article, Academic JournalJoint Media Engagement between Parents and Preschoolers in the U.S., China, and Taiwan (2018)Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, CSCW, 1(2), pp. 192:1-19
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Conference PaperLet's Play! Digital and Analog Play Between Preschoolers and Parents (2018)Proceedings of the 36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18), pp. 659:1-13
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Workshop PaperPanel: Voice Assistants, UX Design and Research (2018)Extended Abstracts: Panel at the 36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18)
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Magazine/Trade PublicationPlayful Interfaces: Designing Interactive Experiences for Children (2018)User Experience: The Magazine of User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA), 18(1)
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Journal Article, Public or Trade JournalPlayful Interfaces: Designing Interactive Experiences for Children (2018)User Experience: The Magazine of User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA), 18(1)
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BlogResearch Suggests Well-Designed Preschool Apps Can Encourage Family Engagement and Self-Regulation (2018)Sesame Workshop Blog (Joan Ganz Cooney Center)
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BlogResearch Suggests Well-Designed Preschool Apps Can Encourage Family Engagement and Self-Regulation (2018)Sesame Workshop and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, Guest Blogger
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Blog PostShould Screens Tell Kids to End Screen Time? Consumers Demand More Thoughtful Design, (2018)Jacobs Foundation Blog on Learning and Development (BOLD), Guest Blogger
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Conference PaperThe Stamp Plate and the Kicking Chair: Playful Productivity for Meals in Preschools (2018)Proceedings of the 17th annual ACM conference on interaction design and children (IDC ’18), pp. 373-380
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Conference PaperWhy Doesn't It Work? Voice-Driven Interfaces and Young Children's Communication Repair Strategies (2018)Proceedings of the 17th annual ACM conference on interaction design and children (IDC ’18), pp. 337-348
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Conference Paper"It wasn't really about the Pokémon": Parental perspectives on a location-based mobile game (2017)Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1483–1496
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Conference PaperCo-Designing with Preschoolers Using Fictional Inquiry and Comicboarding (2017)Proceedings of the 2017 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 5767–5772
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Conference PaperEvaluating an iPad Game to Address Overselectivity in Preliterate AAC Users with Minimal Verbal Behavior (2017)Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '17), pp. 240-249
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Conference PaperPlan & Play: Supporting Intentional Media Use in Early Childhood (2017)Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 85–95
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Ph.D. ThesisSupporting Intentional Media Use in Families (Dissertation) (2017)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalToward the operationalization of visual metaphor (2017)Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 68(10), pp. 2338–2349
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Conference PaperComputing in early childhood (2016)Human Computer Interaction Consortium 2016: Connected Life
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Conference Workshop PaperConsiderations for the connected family (2016)
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Journal Article, Academic JournalContributions of symbolic and non-symbolic number sense to mathematical ability in children with autism spectrum disorders (2016)Journal of Autism and Development Disorders, 46(4), pp. 1268-1281
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Journal Article, Academic JournalDistinctive Role of Symbolic Number Sense in Mediating the Mathematical Abilities of Children with Autism (2016)Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 46(4), pp. 1268–1281
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Journal Article, Academic JournalHidden symbols: How informal symbolism in digital interfaces disrupts usability for preschoolers (2016)International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 90(Unknown Issue), pp. 53–67
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Conference PaperMyTime: Designing and Evaluating an Intervention for Smartphone Non-Use (2016)Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 4746–4757
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Conference PaperNot at the dinner table: Parents’ and children’s perspectives on family technology rules (2016)Proceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing, pp. 1376–1389
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Conference PaperScreen time tantrums: how families manage screen media experiences for toddlers and preschoolers (2016)Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 648–660
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Conference PaperWhy would you do that? Predicting the uses and gratifications behind smartphone-usage behaviors (2016)Proceedings of the 2016 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing, pp. 634–645
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Journal Article, Professional JournalFirst do no harm: technology-induced risks to wellbeing (2015)Developing Skills for Wellbeing workshop at the 33rd annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems
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Conference PaperFostering healthy media habits in families (2015)Doctoral consortium in Interaction Design and Children
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Conference PaperPrivileged role of symbolic number sense in mediating math abilities in children with autism (2015)2015 International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR 2015)
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Conference PaperTexting while parenting: How adults use mobile phones while caring for children at the playground (2015)Proceedings of the 33rd annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems, pp. 727–736
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Conference PaperTouchscreen prompts for preschoolers: designing developmentally appropriate techniques for teaching young children to perform gestures (2015)Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 109–118
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Magazine/Trade PublicationUbicomp 2014 Report (2015)IEEE Pervasive Computing, 15(1)
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Conference Paper@ BabySteps: design and evaluation of a system for using twitter for tracking children’s developmental milestones (2014)Proceedings of the 32nd annual ACM conference on Human factors in computing systems, pp. 2279–2288
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Conference PaperWorkshopping Expressive Language Games for Children with Autism (2014)Supporting Children with Complex Communication Needs workshop at the 32nd annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems
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Conference PaperGo go games: therapeutic video games for children with autism spectrum disorders (2013)Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, pp. 463–466
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Blog postGo go games brings Gaming to ABA Therapy (2012)Autism Speaks Guest Blogger
Presentations
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Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Bridging the Gap between People and Technology
(2024)
Winter Quarter Power Hour, Women in Informatics - Seattle, WA
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Designing for Children in the Attention Economy
(2021)
Invited White House Executive Briefing, Joint Meeting of the Domestic Policy Committee and the Science & Technology Committee - Virtual
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Designing for Children in the Attention Economy
(2021)
Harvard Digital Wellness Lab - Cambridge, MA
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Addressing Present Bias in Movie Recommender Systems and Beyond
(2020)
Cognitive Bias in People and Computing Systems Workshop - 38th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI '20) - Virtual
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Is the Internet Making us Miserable?
(2020)
Humanities of Washington Think & Drink - Seattle, WA
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Remote research methods
(2020)
Joan Ganz Cooney Center - Virtual
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Don't Make the World Worse, and Other Advice from the User Empowerment Lab
(2019)
Pioneer Square Venture Labs - Seattle, WA
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Screenagers
(2019)
Parent Education Night, Whittier Elementary - Seattle, WA
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Childhood Play in a UbiComp World
(2018)
HCI Designing for People Seminar Series, University of British Columbia - Vancouver, BC
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Designing for Children’s Mealtime: Opportunities for Playful IoT
(2018)
Internet of Tangible Things Workshop at the 36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18) - Montreal, Quebec
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Designing for Evil: Blending Ethics and Design in Informatics
(2018)
Founding Board Annual Lunch - Seattle, WA
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Don’t Make the World Worse, and Other Advice from the User Empowerment Lab
(2018)
dub Retreat - Seattle, WA
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LGBTQ Privacy Concerns on Social Media
(2018)
Moving Beyond a “One-Size Fits All” Approach: Exploring Individual Differences in Privacy Workshop at the 36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18) - Montreal, Quebec
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Living up to ‘Don’t be Evil’ When Designing Platforms
(2018)
AI+People Group, Google - Seattle, WA
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The Stamp Plate and the Kicking Chair: Playful Productivity for Mealtime in Preschools
(2018)
17th Interaction Design and Children Conference - Trondheim, Norway
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User Frustration with ‘User Engagement’: Intentional and Mindless Technology Use
(2018)
Stanford University Human-Computer Interaction Seminar - Stanford, California
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User Frustration with ‘User Engagement’: Intentional and Mindless Technology Use
(2018)
University of Washington dub Seminar - Seattle, Washington
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Voice Assistants, UX Design and Research
(2018)
36th annual ACM conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’18) - Montreal, Quebec
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Why doesn't it work?: Voice-driven interfaces and young children's communication repair strategies
(2018)
17th Interaction Design and Children Conference - Trondheim, Norway
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Early Childhood, Families, & Technology
(2017)
Infant and Early Childhood Conference - Tacoma, Washington
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Research on Pokemon GO and Ingress at the University of Washington
(2017)
Invited talk at Niantic Labs for CEO and founder, and senior management - US
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Kindness and computer science
(2016)
Puget Sound Computer Science Teachers’ Association annual high school programming competition - WA
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Texting While Parenting: How Adults Use Mobile Phones when Caring for Children at the Playground
(2014)
Puget Sound World Usability Day - WA
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Go Go Games: Therapeutic Video Games for Children with Autism
(2013)
Human Centered Design and Engineering Corporate Affiliates Day - WA
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Interpersonal Design: How Technology Undermines Users' Interpersonal Relationships and What Designers Can Do About It
Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering Faculty Seminar - Seattle, WA