Computer Science majors at Berea College launched a new branch of the Memory Museum project focused on exploring the views and experiences of amateur personal historians positioned as co-designers.
Supported by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects Program (URCPP), we learned about research ethics, qualitative methodology, participatory design, human-computer interaction (HCI) and computer-supported qualitative work (CSCW).
With our mentor, Dr. Lydia Stamato (Postdoctoral Research Fellow advised by Dr. Jasmine Jones), we put our learning into practice and became experienced co-design workshop facilitators and qualitative data analysts with a sensitivity to diverse family memory practices.
Contributors: Mildred Catalina Gonzalez Molina, Lindsay Manabat, and Fairooz Farzana Tasnia (Summer 2026)
We are pleased to present our early findings in the form of a research poster. The poster will be presented at the Berea Undergraduate Research and Internship Symposium (BURIS) in Fall 2026.
Want to know more? Contact Dr. Jones (About the Project)
"Working on family memory research taught me that memories are among our most meaningful inheritances. The objects we treasure become powerful because they connect us to the people, moments, and stories that shape who we are now. By preserving family memories, we preserve our roots, our sense of belonging, our culture, identity and the legacy we leave behind. I aspire to contribute to designing future technologies that make it accessible for every family to preserve, share, and celebrate their unique story for generations to come and continue inspiring."
Connect with Catalina on LinkedIn
"This summer, I helped run workshops with participants, and listening closely to their perspectives changed how I understand why a single object can hold so much meaning. Hearing people explain what they treasure, and why, taught me to look past the object itself toward the memory, the person, or the lesson attached to it, and to notice how much weight can live in a single small detail. A faded photo or a treasured keepsake becomes powerful not because of what it is, but because of who and what it connects us to. What struck me most was how many people across this generation share the same quiet wish: to hold on to their experiences and the lessons they've learned, and to pass those values down to whoever comes next. Working alongside my team, I picked up new technical concepts, grew more comfortable with viewpoints different from my own, and began to see thoughtful design as a form of listening. As technology continues to improve, I hope to help create something that supports people who want to preserve their memories so that every family can share and celebrate the stories that shape who they are and carry them forward for the ones they love."
Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn
"This research helped me grew in many way, from viewing others' approach toward life decisions to finding small details in object impacted my working process. As I learned many technical terms and worked with my team in multiple parts of the project, it encouraged me finding positivity in anyway and contribute to bridge the gap beyond boundaries."
Connect with Fairooz on LinkedIn