Author: Natalie Lam
-
Scholarship in Disability, Technology, and Politics
My research spans multiple disciplines, including Science & Technology Studies, Critical Disability Studies, Human-Computer Interaction, Design Methods, and Media Studies. Through the interconnected theoretical foundations of these disciplines, I have developed critical practices in qualitative reflexive methods which center multiply marginalized experiences in the production of knowledge. In the spirit of Chela Sandoval’s “oppositional consciousness”…
-
MetaCogs
Executive functions (EF) are a collection of cognitive domains governing task initiation, motor planning, attention, and goal-oriented action. Difficulties with EF have marked impacts on adaptive living skills, learning outcomes, and quality of life for people with cognitive and psychosocial disabilities, as well as the broader population. While there is considerable research interest in EF…
-
Counterventions in Human-Robot Interaction
The purpose of this project is to develop participatory research skills among Robotics Researchers in the United States to support more effective research outcomes, direct benefits to participant groups, and translation to market. This research project proceeds in three phases: 1) participating robotics researchers engage in an online learning community where they are introduced to…
-
Disability Theory in HCI
AccessComputing awarded a Mini Grant for 5000 dollars to fund a website series supporting researchers to integrate disability theory into their research projects and agendas. This series was led by Rua M. Williams, PI of the CoLiberation Lab and featured 7 zoom events, a 2-week design jam, and an online community hosted on discord. The…
-
Autistic Technocultures
Research in technologies “for” autism is currently experiencing a crisis of epistemological commitments. Prior work has noted how HCI for neurocognitive disability has been dominated by motivations of “fixing”, paternalistic ideas about what disabled people should want and need, and inaccurate assumptions that disabled people are not already themselves engaged in technology design. Guided by…
-
Doctors are Dickheads
In October 2018, the Twitter hashtag #DoctorsAreDickheads began trending after YouTube blogger Stevie Boebi released a video discussing her years of experiencing medical gaslighting and dismissal, as well as her eventual diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The hashtag was started by Wren Frey, formerly known as K. Sauder, in response and solidarity with Boebi’s experiences to foster a…
-
Eyedle Gaze Game
Eye gaze controls for computer devices are an essential technology for survivors of spinal cord injury and other conditions affecting arm and hand mobility. However, many users find it difficult to develop proficiency with this technology due to frustrations, fatigue, and the clinical nature of their primary engagement with the technology. In this project, we…
-
Graphic Attacc
The internet can be a dangerous place for people with photosensitive epilepsy and photophobic migraines. In this research project, our lab explores interventions in community awareness, technology development norms, design practices, and technology policy that could create an ecology of protections for vulnerable social media users. Team Members Rua, Chorong, Laila, Monaami, Atharva, Angel Lam,…
-
Natalie Lam
Natalie Lam is a current sophomore at Purdue University pursuing a major in UX Design with a Collaborative Leadership Certificate and a minor in Computer Science and Design and Innovation. She is interested in disability justice, product design, and the usage of Natural Language Processing in the field of UX. In her free time, Natalie…
-
Sondos Alrqibat
Sondos AlRqibat is a Ph.D. student interested in how gamified experiences (such as VR and AR) can provide more effective and engaging cognitive assessments. research falls within the areas of cognitive assessment, game design, and virtual reality, and extends beyond assessment to explore intervention strategies and long-term progress monitoring. Research Projects Contact