Social Innovations Group
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Vision

The Social Innovation Group is a dynamic and diverse collective of interdisciplinary experts specializing in the research and development of ubiquitous and social computing technologies. Our vision is simple: To design, build, and enhance innovative technologies that effectively tackle real-world challenges.

Our expertise lies in addressing real-world problems affecting minoritized groups and people experiencing various forms of marginalization, particularly emphasizing the United States. Our ongoing projects aim to combat unemployment, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance technical literacy by fostering social and sociotechnical capital within these communities.

Comprised of a wide range of talented professionals, our team brings together computer scientists, designers, social scientists, and business majors. We warmly invite undergraduate and graduate researchers, Ph.D. candidates, and current and aspiring professionals who share our passion for making a positive societal impact.

Join us in our quest to leverage innovation and expertise for the betterment of society. Together, we can drive meaningful change and create a brighter future.

Ongoing Projects

We have adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the guiding framework for our group’s initiatives. This commitment to the SDGs ensures that our work is in harmony with a worldwide agenda dedicated to addressing the most pressing global issues.

Decent work and Economic Growth

Number of papers: 16

Inform efforts to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

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Climate Action

Number of papers: 12

Inform efforts to combat climate change and its impacts

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Quality Education

Number of papers: 12

Inform efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

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Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Number of papers: 12

Inform efforts to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

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Reduced Inequalities

Number of papers: 8

Inform efforts that could reduce inequality within and among countries.

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Good Health and Well Being

Number of papers: 7

Inform efforts to enable healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages

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Sustainable Cities and Communities

Number of papers: 6

Inform efforts to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

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No Poverty

Number of papers: 5

Inform efforts to collectively end poverty in all its forms everywhere

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Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Number of papers: 3

Inform efforts to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels

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Zero Hunger

Number of papers: 2

Inform efforts to collectively end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

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Gender Equality

Number of papers: 2

Inform efforts to achieve gender equality and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people.

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Media

SIG Employment Tool Research Summary

Learn more about our tools here!

Infographics

Papers and Publications

Our Amazing Team

Core

Tawanna Dillahunt

Principal Investigator, Team Lead |
UMSI Associate Professor

Aarti Israni

UMSI Postdoc, Ph.D. Alum

Yao Lyu

UMSI Postdoc

Sylvia Darling

UMSI Ph.D. Student (MSI Alum)

Soyoung Lee

UMSI Ph.D. Student (MSI Alum)

Denny L. Starks

UM Ph.D. student (MSI Alum)

Feier (Sophie) Su

UMSI Undergraduate Student, BSI major in UX

Bridgit Jung

UMSI Undergraduate student, Minor in Art & Design

Mila Filipof

UMSI Graduate student

Jared Katzman

UM Ph.D. Student

Affiliates

Alex Lu

UMSI Ph.D. & MSI Alum, Assistant Professor at Rutgers University

Julie Hui

UMSI Assistant Professor

Mustafa Naseem

UMSI Clinical Assistant Professor

Kentaro Toyama

UMSI W K Kellogg Professor of Community Information

Matthew Bui

UMSI Assistant Professor

Mark Ackerman

UMSI Professor

Alum

Samartha Okyne

UM MSI Alum, Specializing in UXD

Alex Lu

UMSI Ph.D. & MSI Alum

Cameron Moy

UM BSI alum, Minor in Social Class and Inequality and Music

Srishti Bijjur

UM MSI Alum

Ihudiya Finda Ogbonnaya-Ogburu

UMSI Ph.D. Alum

Vaishnav Kameswaran

UMSI Ph.D. Alum

Shruti Sannon

Postdoctoral Computing Innovation Fellow

James Lisowski

UM Undergraduate Alum

Pratik Mangtani

UM MSI Alum

Cindy Zhao

UM Undergraduate Alum

Amelia Duffy

UM Undergradate Alum

Anshika Saxena

UM MSI Alum

Anandita Aggarwal

UM MSI Alum

Alexis Ashby

UM MSI Alum

Brittney Atkinson-McFarlane

NSF REU Alum, Cornell University Student

Ameera Ayodeji

NSF REU and Bowie State Alum

Seungjoo Baek

UM MSI Alum

Jacob Berman

UM MSI Alum

Nishan Bose

UM MSI Alum

Jason Brill

UM CS/Design Undergraduate Alum

Thaddeus Brown

NSF REU and Bowie State Alum

Mingzhi Cai

UM CS Alum

Asha Chen-Phang

NSF REU Alum, Northeastern University Student

David Cui

UM Alum

Jonathan De Heus

UM MSI Alum

Suleman Diwan

Developer

Michelle Fiesta

UM MSI Alum

Indulekha Ghandikota

UROP Student, EECS Alum

Anna Gilhool

UM MSI Alum

Samarth Gulati

UM MSI Alum

Marcy Held

UM MSI Alum

Joey Chiao-Yin Hsiao

UMSI Ph.D. Alum

Benjamin Jen

UROP Student, LSA Alum

Jashanjit Kaur

UM MSI Alum

Emory Kimball

UM Dearborn Undergraduate Alum

Malavika Krishnamachari

High School Student/Visiting Research Assistant Alum

Saebom April Kwon

UM MSI Alum

Jason Lam

UM MSI Alum

Eva Li

UM Alum

Ruchita Lodha

UM MSI Alum

Amy Malone

NSF REU Alum, University of Maryland Undergraduate Student

Sandy Ng

UM MSI Alum

Hailey Patterson

UROP Student, LSA Alum

Pablo-Alejandro Quionones, Ph.D.

UM MSI Alum

Sadhana Ramaseshadri

UM MSI Alum

Jessica Salvador

UMSI REMS Alum, University of Washington

Kaushal Solanki

UM MSI Alum

Mingda Tang

UM Alum

Raden Tonev

UM MSI Alum

Jaleesa Rosario Turner

UMSI Student/REMS Alum

Zengguang (Brian) Wang

UM Alum

Alice Wang

UM MSI Alum

Earnest Wheeler

UM MSI Alum

Xuecong (Esme) Xu

UM Alum

Yongwei Yuan

UM CS Alum

Muhan Zhao

UM CS Alum