I design generative AI systems that strengthen creative, representational, and relational agency—helping people create, express their experiences, and shape meaningful interactions.
Keywords: Human-Computer Interaction, Human-AI Interaction, Human Agency, Generative AI
I’m an associate professor in the Computer Science Department at Clark University.
Generative AI can expand people’s capacity to create, interpret experiences, and sustain interactions. Yet these capabilities can also displace human reasoning, misrepresent personal meaning, and weaken interpersonal boundaries. My research examines how people retain meaningful authority to direct, evaluate, revise, and reject AI contributions through three interconnected research pillars:
My interdisciplinary work spans HCI, social media, mental health, and education. I use mixed methods, including large-scale analyses of online content and conversations, interviews and surveys, and the design and evaluation of interactive systems.
Before joining Clark, I obtained my Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Virginia Tech. My advisor was Dr. Scott McCrickard.
Designing AI support that expands creative capability while preserving the thinking that makes creation meaningful. MASON scaffolds learner sensemaking through artifact creation; CLARA supports teachers’ pedagogical reasoning as they design Creative Learning lessons.
Helping people retain authority over how AI represents their identities and lived experiences. Through disability storytelling and Narreflect, I study how people direct AI narratives, evaluate alternative interpretations, and revise stories to reflect their intended meaning.
Studying how people negotiate the roles, boundaries, and continuation of AI relationships. BOND develops creator-facing boundary controls for shared companions, examining how engagement can coexist with user autonomy and meaningful ways to revise or leave interactions.
Helping users inspect and revise how recommender systems interpret their interests. I design conversational interfaces that make those interpretations more understandable and give users ways to steer the content they encounter.
Studying how creators direct GenAI-supported production while navigating audience engagement and perceived platform preferences. My Algorithm-Aware Strategy Work research examines how creators evaluate, adapt, or resist strategies in relation to their own goals and identity.
Examining how mediated interactions support connection and well-being. My social video studies provide foundations for relational agency research. ACTTA extends this agenda through therapist-authored conversational homework that preserves client authority over personal meaning and therapist clinical authority.
I emphasize constructivist learning, active learning, project-based development, and responsible AI literacy. Students learn through hands-on experiences, building real systems, and critiquing design trade-offs from human-centered perspectives.
If you are a Clark student and have questions about my class, you are welcome to attend my office
hours as listed on Canvas or use the Schedule button on the right.
If you are interested in doing research with me, please email me with a brief introduction and a
description of your research interests.
For students applying to PhD programs, please note that my department does not offer PhD programs.
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