I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison The Information School, where I lead research at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), and social computing. My work focuses on designing and analyzing socio-technical systems that enhance collective competence, foster motivation, and integrate diverse perspectives into high-stakes decision-making contexts. I hold a multidisciplinary academic foundation that informs my approach to information science:
My research agenda is broadly centered on two fundamental challenges in modern online collaboration:
Augmented Expertise: How we can cultivate specialized expertise among distributed, non-expert users (such as citizen scientists) through adaptive scaffolding and hybrid intelligence systems.
Algorithmic and Data Justice: How to ensure that data-driven and algorithmic systems in the public sector operate equitably and reflect community values rather than reinforcing systemic biases.
I employ an integrated methodology that bridges large-scale computational analysis of digital trace data with qualitative ethnography and community-engaged design.
My research has been supported by National Science Foundation (HCC), the Rockefeller Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the UW-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education and appears in top HCI venues such as ACM Conference On Computer-Supported Cooperative Work And Social Computing, the Journal of the Association for Information Systems, and Computers in Human Behavior.
I typically advise Ph.D. students interested in HCI, CSCW, responsible AI, and civic technology, particularly those excited about participatory methods, qualitative and mixed-methods research, and real-world public sector impact. However, availability varies by year. Prospective students are encouraged to review my advising philosophy and current projects before reaching out, and to clearly articulate how their interests align with ongoing work described above.
This project aims to develop innovative digital tools and practices to boost civic engagement in underrepresented communities, specifically in the context of community deliberation and advocacy in policymaking, with a focus on environmental issues. It seeks to answer questions about the current capabilities, data needs, and trust-building in this area. The project leverages diverse expertise in human-centered design, science communication, data science, and environmental policymaking to tackle these challenges.
PIs: Corey Jackson and Kaiping Chen
This project focuses on the unequal and unaddressed impact of climate change on communities of color, emphasizing the need for climate justice. It highlights the underrepresentation of these communities in social and digital discussions due to communication barriers. Using carbon-dioxide policy as a case study, the project aims to answer the research question: "How can deliberation and digital crowdsourcing designs be used to engage and amplify the voices of communities of color in carbon-dioxide policymaking?"
PIs: Kaiping Chen and Corey Jackson
This project addresses the challenge of identifying causal connections in large datasets resulting from the increased use of automated data collection instruments. While data correlation can be observed, determining causality remains a complex issue. Human experts, while helpful, have limitations in handling vast amounts of data. The project proposes to involve non-expert volunteers in analyzing scientific data by developing a human-centered computing system. The hypothesis is that by providing background knowledge and improved machine processing of data, even novices can contribute to identifying meaningful and potentially causal connections, thus enhancing the value of citizen science in data analysis.
PIs: Carsten Østerlund (Syracuse University), Kevin Crowston (Syracuse University), Aggelos Katsaggelos (Northwestern University), Vicky Kalogera (Northwestern University), Marissa Walker (Christopher Newport University), and Corey Jackson
This research aims to mitigate algorithmic bias in machine learning through a socio-technical framework applied to algorithmic audits. The project aims to cultivate collaboration between machine learning developers and the broader public, with the objective of minimizing adverse outcomes for all demographic groups arising from the application of machine learning in various decision-making contexts. The project undertakes the task of redefining fairness, acknowledging its inherent contextuality and adaptability, while actively integrating public opinions and attitudes into the process of algorithmic audits. This project positions fairness as a multifaceted phenomenon with social, historical, contextual, and geographical dimensions.
PIs: Corey JacksonPowered by Jekyll and Minimal Light theme.