We study and design interactive technologies and games to empower and uplift people of color, incorporating critical race theory, intersectionality, and queer theory alongside learnings from social justice activism. We primarily use qualitative and design research methods to curate counternarratives and create counterspaces.
We leverage the multidisciplinary nature of human-computer interaction to focus on how different aspects of identity impact human lived experiences with interactive technologies. We used mixed research and design methods to investigate, to critique, and to design in these spaces. We primarily publish at HCI venues and you can find our work at ACM conferences such as CHI, CSCW, DIS, FDG, and CHI PLAY as well as games venues such as DiGRA and Meaningful Play.
We utilize both critical design and transformational game design in the lab. Our critical design work seeks to highlight assumptions, exaggerate underlying dynamics, and investigate those ways that identity and technology interact. Our transformational game design work looks at how games as a powerful interactive medium can utilize research literature to impact game players through rich storytelling.
We primarily work with and for people in marginalizing contexts towards designs that empower by increasing visibility of the work communities are already engaged with and working towards self-determination where those communities are engaged in the design process.
If you are interested in joining our lab as a PhD student supervised by Prof. To, she can speak with PhD students looking for an advisor or co-advisor in CAMD (e.g., Interdisciplinary Design and Media PhD) or Khoury (e.g., Computer Science PhD). In an email to the lab, please include your interests, program, CV, and why you think we might be a good fit.
Northeastern Undergraduate and Masters students who are interested in doing research with the lab can do so through federal work-study, hourly paid positions, Khoury Research apprenticeships, independent study research credit, etc. To learn more about our open projects, email the lab with your interests, degree or major, and resume or CV.
We are situated between the Art + Design department of the College of Arts, Media, and Design and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences.