Bridging the fields of anthropology, computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), and ICTD (Information Communication Technologies & Development), I use qualitative methods to study how underrepresented groups collaboratively access and participate with information communication technologies (ICTs) in politically and resource-constrained societies. Drawing on my training as a sociocultural anthropologist, my work investigates (1) internet access in resource-constrained regions; (2) the design of citizen-led information systems; and (3) social media use for social change.

I am an Assistant Professor/Presidential Postdoc in the School of Information at the University of Michigan.

I received my Ph.D. in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. My dissertation analyzed how individuals in Havana, Cuba, collaboratively piece together multiple information infrastructures to create a uniquely “Cuban” internet against the backdrop of prohibitive access to the world wide web. At Georgia Tech, I was advised by Amy Bruckman and Neha Kumar and was a member of the ELC Lab and the TanDem Lab.  I am also a Microsoft Research Ph.D. Fellow.

I have a Master’s degree in anthropology from Georgia State University, specializing in cultural and digital anthropology. My research examined the use of Facebook for impression management and political activism by diasporic Hispanic groups. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Georgia, where my studies centered on Spanish media and culture.

In between getting my degrees, I worked as a social media and public relations manager at organizations including Georgia Tech, Georgia Aquarium, Northside Hospital, and Cohen Wolfe. I’ve also worked as a private social media consultant for individuals, non-profits, and small businesses.

I enjoy collaborating with researchers across a variety of disciplines to examine engagements with digital technologies among traditionally underrepresented groups. I am particularly interested in qualitative research methods, social computing, HCI4D, information communication technologies and development (ICTD), internet access interventions, hyper-local information infrastructures, e-democracy, activism through social media, and the virtual public sphere.

I also enjoy exploring remote places, throwing impromptu dance parties, and inventing new games to play with my kids and friends.

NEWS 

1.24.20 – I was an invited panelist at the launch event for the new Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC), led by Christian Sandvig and Silvia Lindtner.

1.23.20 – I joined the Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC) at the University of Michigan as an affiliate faculty member.

12.4.19 – I joined the Digital Studies Institute (DSI) at the University of Michigan as an affiliate faculty member.

11.12.19 – I presented my paper, “If it Rains, Ask Grandma to Disconnect the Nano: Maintenance & Care in Havana’s StreetNet” at CSCW 2019 in Austin, TX

11.10.19 – I submitted to and attended the Politics and Design of Collaboration: A Grassroots Perspective workshop at CSCW 2019.

9.30.19 – My paper, “If it Rains, Ask Grandma to Disconnect the Nano: Maintenance & Care in Havana’s StreetNet”, received a Best Paper Honorable Mention at CSCW 2019

8.1.19 – I started my new position as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow/Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Information

6.18.19 – I became a member of the 2019 cohort of the Consortium for the Science of Sociotechnical Systems (CSST)

6.8.19 – I successfully defended my dissertation, Vamos a Resolver: Collaboratively Configuring the Internet in Havana

3.4.19 – I have accepted a presidential postdoctoral fellowship position at the University of Michigan’s School of Information starting Fall 2019!

1.15.19 – I wrote an article for ACM Interactions Mag on Cuba’s offline Internet.

1.4.19 – I served as a co-chair, panelist, and organizer at ICTDX in Ahmedabad, India.

11.4.18 – I co-organized a workshop, Solidarity Across Borders: Navigating Intersections Towards Equity & Inclusion, at the 2018 CSCW Conference.

8.16.18 – I was awarded the $10,000 Global Impact Award as part of the ARCS Scholar Awards.

5.24.18 – This summer, I’m working with Mary Gray as a research intern at Microsoft Research New England.

4.26.18 – I presented my paper,  “El Paquete Semanal: The Week’s Internet in Havana,” at the 2018 CHI Conference.

4.21.18 – I attended the Doctoral Consortium at the 2018 CHI Conference in Montreal.

3.21.18 – I gave a talk titled “Seamfully Interwoven: Piecing Together Cuba’s Internet,” at the University of Kentucky’s School of Information Science.

12.11.17 – My paper, “El Paquete Semanal: The Week’s Internet in Havana,” was accepted at the 2018 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’18).

11.22.17 – I was selected to attend the Doctoral Consortia at the 2018 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI ’18).

11.19.17 – I’m excited to announce that I will be the Open Sessions Chair at the 2019 ACM Conference on Information Communication Technology for Development (ICTD).

8.10.17 – I received the $10,000 Herz Global Impact Award from the Achievement Rewards for Academic Scientists (ARCS) for a second year.

7.22.17 – I was named a Foley Scholar Finalist for a second year.

5.10.17 – I presented our paper, “Locating the Internet in the Parks of Havana,” at the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) 2017.

4.21.17 – I successfully proposed my dissertation.

2.16.17 – My 2017 CHI paper received an Honorable Mention award.

1.31.17 – I was named a Microsoft Ph.D. Research Fellow.

12.11.16 – My co-authored paper, “Locating the Internet in the Parks of Havana,” was accepted at The Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) 2017.

11.9.16 – I presented my work in a poster session at the 2016 NetHope Global Summit.

10.1.16 – I was selected as a Foley Awards Scholar Finalist.

9.28.16 – I served as a panelist on The Hispanic Heritage Month Panel on “U.S. and Cuba Relations: Past, Present, and Future.”

9.16.16 – I was featured in a Reuter’s article: Millenials lead private media opening in Communist-run Cuba.

8.9.16 – I was named an ARCS Scholar and received the $10,000 Global Impact Award.

8.9.16 – I was featured in Columbia Journalism Review’s article: Seven signs Cuban media is moving towards openness.