Natascha Karlova is a Ph.D. candidate at the iSchool.

When you meet someone who doesn’t know about your research, how do you describe it?

I'm studying how groups of people figure out whether or not somebody is lying to them online.

Who is the faculty member working closest with you? What are you learning from him/her?

Karen Fisher is a great advisor for me. She's encouraging, but also tough and expects superior work. She's taught me the importance of thinking about research and its impact globally, and of understanding the immediate relevance and practical applications of my work.

Why are you interested in this subject?

From 'fake news' to phishing, online mis- and disinformation are rampant, and can be difficult to distinguish from authoritative information. I'm hoping to help users make this distinction a little easier.

What impact do you hope to make in the information field through your research/dissertation?

I hope that the information field embraces the complexities and challenges of mis- and disinformation.

What surprised you the most when digging into your research?

Many cues to deception are not what we might think they are.

What are your career goals once you graduate?

I want to tell stories – with users, with numbers. I'm passionate about communicating across boundaries, and making meaning clear and relevant.

Visit Natascha’s website.