Reimagining Systems for Learning Hands-on Creative and Maker Skills

Erin Higgins (Ph.D. student, University of Maryland, Baltimore County) [she/her/hers]

I am a first-year PhD student and research assistant at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I am interested in creating equitable and accessible makerspaces and observing the impact of these spaces in the community. I am also interested in using makerspaces to develop low-cost assistive technology. We are currently running makerspace programs in rec centers in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I am hoping to learn how other researchers are going about gathering feedback from youth. I am also excited to learn about all of the other work going on in makerspaces.

Sebastian Feger (Research scientist, LMU Munich) [He/him]

I am a computer scientist and UX researcher with strong knowledge in electronics. I enjoy designing smart objects that help support new forms of interaction and learning across a wide range of applications, from supporting the maker community to controlling smart homes. I am excited to brainstorm ideas related to smart objects that support learning maker skills in general and electronics in particular.

Ibrahim Adisa (Ph.D. student, Clemson University) [He/Him/His]

I am a doctoral student in the Learning Sciences program at Clemson University, interested in how youth develop agency in data science and use data for self-expression and advocacy. I work primarily with middle school children and teachers in formal and non-formal learning environments. I look forward to learning more about ‘designing for children’ during the CHI conference and hope to brainstorm ideas with researchers that share similar interests.

Ashley Del Valle (Ph.D. student, University of California Santa Barbara) [she/ her/ hers]

I am from Puerto Rico and I am a crafter of expressive tools and experiences. I am a Ph.D. student in the Expressive Computation Lab​ at the Media Arts and Technology Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara. My work focuses on building learning systems for creative and hands-on making through coding and crafts. I aim to engage young students with computational design while using craft-based thinking to guide them into digitally fabricating functional objects. I aim to engage native Spanish speakers and empower them to create things that are meaningful to them.

Tom Veuskens (Ph.D. student, Hasselt University) [he/him]

Tom Veuskens is a third-year Ph.D. student at Hasselt University working under the supervision of Prof. Raf Ramakers. Tom’s research aims to lower the barrier of (3D) design tools while not affecting their expressivity. The goal is to enable more novice makers to express the designs they want to fabricate precisely, without relying on extensive CAD expertise.

Evey Huang (Ph.D. student, Northwestern University) [she, her]

I am a 3rd year PhD student at Northwestern University Delta Lab. I design and build intelligent systems that collaborate with human coaches to increase underrepresented learners' engagement and learning when solving ill-defined, real-world problems. I am excited to connect with other researchers in the field, share our preliminary findings on how coaching supports underrepresented learners' engagement, and discuss how we might design technologies to make coaches' job easier and scale high quality coaching.

Chris Johnson (Associate professor, James Madison University) [he/him/his]

I am a computer science professor at James Madison University in Virginia. My interests are in computer graphics, programming languages, and serving my local community. The theme of the workshop aligns very closely with several projects I have worked on, and I am eager to learn things that will help me shape these projects. Also, I have been reading papers written by several of the organizers and welcome the chance to meet these folks in person.

Deren Guler (Research scientist, Teknikio) [she, her]

Deren Guler is a researcher, designer and educator based in New York who has led projects and workshops around the world. Designing accessible tools to re-imagine and reinvent the world motivates her work. She is the founder and CEO of Teknikio- an award-winning series of electronics modules and toolsets, adjuncts at Parsons School of Design, is a co-founder of the FatcatFablab makerspace, and author of Crafting Wearables: Blending Technology with Fashion.

Julian Rasch (Ph.D. student, LMU Munich) [he/him]

Julian Rasch is an HCI Researcher and PhD Student at the Media Informatics Group at LMU Munich. His research focuses on the interaction between humans and digital systems to facilitate and augment this strong collaboration. His research interests include Perception & Interaction in AR/VR, Interaction with AI Systems, Human Augmentation, Virtual Design & Engineering, and Future Applications of AR/VR. Thanks to his background in Electrical Engineering & IT, he has knowledge and experience in hardware prototyping as well as methodological problem-solving.

Tolulope Famaye (Ph.D. student, Clemson University) [She/her]

I am a graduate student in the Learning Sciences and a member of the IDEA Lab at Clemson University. I have a background in designing learning environments for physical and virtual learning environments. Working with the idea lab I engage in participatory methods that actively involve teachers, students, and community partners working together to co-design digital learning environments that serve their communities. I look forward to exchanging ideas, sharing our perspectives, lessons learnt and receiving positive feedback and constructive criticism about my lab’s research from the community.

Valkyrie Savage (Assistant professor, University of Copenhagen) [she/her]

I am a newly-minted Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen in the Human-Centred Computing Section of the Department of Computer Science, where my research focuses on the intersections of humans, digital fabrication, and sensing. I have previously done research at UC Berkeley (for my PhD) and in Toronto (at a startup called Tactual Labs); I also taught robotics summer camps for a non-profit for a year. For this workshop, I'm interested in how we represent interactive objects in code: 3D models and Arduino are both, in the end, code-driven; I want to better understand how this feature can help us better support students in the makerspace.

Amy Traylor (Ph.D. student, University of New Mexico) [she/her]

I am a PhD student in Dr. Leah Buechley's lab working in computational fabrication. My research focuses on developing new tools to teach computational art and design. I am also an artist, mother of 4, and infrequent gardener.

Jiannan Li (Ph.D. student, University of Toronto) [He/Him/His]

I am a PhD student at the Dynamic Graphics Project, University of Toronto, working with Ravin Balakrishnan and Tovi Grossman. I design, build, and test interactive systems that help people effectively use new camera (robotic, body-worn) and display (HMDs, transparent displays) technologies to communicate, collaborate, and learn. I believe the future of collaboration tools lies in seamlessly combining digital (mixed reality) and physical (environments with sensing and actuating capabilities) content.

Thomas Kosch (Assistant professor, Utrecht University) [he/him/his]

Thomas Kosch is an assistant professor in the Human-Centred Computing Group at Utrecht University. His research focuses on implicit AI-driven physiological interfaces and user state predictions for human augmentation. He is experienced in designing user studies, quantitative and qualitative methods, machine learning, and prototyping. He successfully conducted and led research projects within scientific and industrial councils. In addition, he is regularly involved in program and organizational committees of top-tier human-computer interaction events at national and international levels.

Sam Bourgault (PhD. student, University of California, Santa Barbara) [she/they]

Sam Bourgault (Montreal) is a Ph.D. student in the Media Arts and Technology program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They own degrees in Computation Arts from Concordia University (2019) and in Physics Engineering from Polytechnique Montreal (2015). Their work spans across art, robotics, and HCI.

Evgeny Stemasov (Ph.D. student, Ulm University) [he/him]

I am a 4th year PhD student at Ulm University, interested in the intersection of AR + Personal Fabrication to enable in-situ and low-effort design processes for consumers and non-users. I'm particularly interested in the tensions between the expressivity of a design tool, the effort it demands from users, and the impact low-effort tools may have on society and sustainability. Hoping to engage in discussions at the workshop and generate new exciting ideas for further research.

Subhasree Sengupta (PhD. student, Syracuse university) [She/her]

I am a 4th year doctoral candidate at the ischool, Syracuse University. My research interest lies in understanding and envisioning future systems that can offer novel mechanisms to nurture informal learning practices with an emphasis on inclusivity and equity. My interest in this workshop stems from the focus on informal learning practices in maker spaces. From this workshop I wish to learn more about learning practices in maker spaces and ways to conceptualize the future of such spaces with a focus on reducing barriers of entry and increasing accessibility.

Colin Dixon (Research scientist, BSCS Science Learning) [he/him]

Colin Dixon is a researcher and educator focused on science learning across settings. He is currently engaged in participatory design and research with teachers, museum educators, and HCI designers around computer science and technology education. He strives to understand and co-create learning experiences that are equitable, inclusive and centered around what young people want to do in their worlds. This work brings Colin into denim studios, classrooms, community organizations, makerspaces and other places of invention, connection, and joy.

Mario Parade (Teacher/Fablab Manager, Wissenschaftsladen Potsdam)

I am currently working as a teacher at the Montessori School Potsdam on a project that combines agriculture and making at an out-of-school learning site. For more than 10 years I have been managing the fablab of the Wissenschaftsladen Potsdam as a fablab manager. In several research projects we develop new methods to test and establish Education and Making (Digital Fabrication). These include projects for disabled people, mobile makerspace concepts, bioeconomy and for lifelong learning. In the current project Haptiq, students will be introduced to basic concepts of quantum computing. At the Biberkor Academy, I work in teacher training. There, mainly in the areas of maker education as well as project-oriented teaching in agriculture.

Aashaka Desai (Ph.D. student, University of Washington) [she/her]

I'm Aashaka Desai, a second-year PhD student at University of Washington. I'm advised by Jennifer Mankoff and Richard Ladner. My research focus is accessibility and human-computer interaction, and I like to explore ways in which technology and people can mediate access, and imagine how we can move towards sustainable accessibility that centers lived experiences of people with disabilities.

Robert Wachtel Pronovost (Ph.D. student, Stanford University) [he/him]

I am a second-year PhD student at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, interested in maker-centered learning and technology integration in elementary schools for the benefit of all students. I have a cross-area specialization in Learning Sciences and Technology Design and am part of the inaugural cohort of the Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education. Prior to doctoral studies, I taught and opened several makerspaces in a historically underserved school district. My hope in attending the workshop is to ensure I am beginning my research in a place that builds upon and with the leading researchers and thinkers in the field.

Peiling Jiang (Ph.D. student, UCSD) [he/him]

Peiling is an incoming Cognitive Science Ph.D. student at UCSD Design Lab. He is interested in building easier-to-use tools and authoring environments to assist people in learning, managing information, and creating. His undergraduate thesis, b5 (https://jpl.design/b5), leverages a web-based interface to explore new controls in visual programming. This will be his first CHI and first in-person conference. He looks forward to exploring more about learning in the physical and hands-on context.

Alexandra Bremers (Ph.D. student, Cornell University) [She/her]

I am a second-year Information Science PhD student at Cornell University, based at the Tech campus in New York City, NY, USA. I study how computers can support physical activities of creativity and making, primarily using interaction design methods, articial intelligence (AI), robotics and augmented reality (AR). My thesis investigates human-computer collaborative sketching. Before my PhD, I completed undergraduate and graduate studies in Industrial Design (TU Eindhoven) and Artificial Intelligence (Utrecht University). From 2017 to 2020, I worked at the research department of Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC (Coventry, United Kingdom), where I developed and studied AR displays and in-cabin AI.

Jennifer Mankoff (Professor, University of Washington/CREATE) [She/her]

Jennifer Mankoff's research is focused on accessibility through giving people the voice, tools and agency to advocate for themselves. She strives to bring both structural and personal perspectives to her work. For example, her recent work in fabrication of accessible technologies not only develops innovative tools that can enable individual makers but also explores the larger clinical and sociological challenges to disseminating and sharing designs. Similarly, her work in the intersection of mental health and discrimination uses sensed data to explore how external risks and pressures interact with people’s responses to challenging moments. Jennifer received her PhD at Georgia Tech, advised by Gregory Abowd and Scott Hudson, and her B.A. from Oberlin College.

Clara Rigaud (Ph.D. student, ISIR, Sorbonne université ) [She]

I am a PhD candidate in Human Computer Interaction at the ISIR laboratory (Multiscale Interaction Team) in Paris. I’m working with Yvonne Jansen and Gilles Bailly on the topic of knowledge related to fabrication activities inside makerspaces, fablabs, workshops, and more generally the DIY community. My thesis is part of the AfFABle project and I’m working in close relationship with the Sorbonne University Fablab where I organize weekly workshops arounds different machines, prototyping and crafting activities. I have also been involved in several music and art projects in the past as a curator and artist around digital art, self-made books and the fanzine community.

Tim Deussen (Studio Deussen)

With a strong focus on innovation paired with the sparking creativity of an independent studio based in the heart of Berlin we create interactive experiences. These range from AR to VR or 3d printing, giving us a solid foundation to push the boundaries in Edutainment. We work at the sweet spot where technology meets art. We are passionate about using XR storytelling to shine a light on the invisible areas like art, microelectronics, neuroscience, biotech or environmental protection. We love to discuss with scientist, creatives, and educators from around the globe how XR Technology could best be used in Education.

Colin Au Yeung (Undergraduate student, University of Calgary) [he/him]

I'm an undergraduate researcher working in the Interactions Lab at the University of Calgary. I'm really interested in the ways of making and makers that both use technology in novel ways and aren't necessarily supported by existing tools, some examples of these groups are makers who use live streaming to share their craft and cosplayers. As a new researcher, I’m really interested in hearing about the current challenges in the field and as well what others are currently researching and interested in.

Liz Gerber (Professor, Northwestern U/Center for HCI+Design) [she/her/hers]

Trained as a product design and organizational researcher, I am interested in how people work together to develop ideas they wouldn't otherwise come up with alone. I am particularly interested in engaging those who are under represented because I believe that we need all voices to generate truly impactful ideas. I'm attending the workshop to learn what others are researching and refine ideas of my own.