Bio

I'm Robin. I do research in Human-Computer Interaction and accessibility. I design, build, and study systems to better support technology use (and non-use) by older adults and people with vision impairments. Most recently, I have investigated the role of conversational technologies (large language models, voice assistants, and Interactive Voice Response tools), asking how these technologies support or do not support social and informational needs. My research team is actively working on projects related to AI-assisted creative writing; AI, productivity, and disability; and mitigating information uncertainty in conversational technologies. Interested in working with me for a Ph.D.?

I am an Associate Professor at University of Michigan's School of Information (UMSI). In 2021, I co-founded the Accessibility, Human-Computer Interaction, and Aging (AHA!) lab across the School of Information, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and STAMPS School of Art & Design. I also hold affiliate positions in the Center for Ethics, Society, and Computing (ESC, pronounced "escape"), the Digital Studies Institute (DSI), the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA), and the Insititute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI). My research has been funded by an NSF CAREER award, Google, NIH, and the Retirement Research Foundation. I have also worked at Google as a visiting researcher and held user experience research positions at Microsoft Research, Facebook, and IBM Research. I am a recipient of the Anita Borg Early Career Award, awarded by the Computing Research Association and the Henry Russell Award, awarded by the University of Michigan.

I was awarded a President's Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan and hold a Ph.D. in Technology and Social Behavior from Northwestern University, M.S. in Human-Centered Computing from UMBC, and B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

What's New?

October 2026 - I will be at ASSETS 2026 to present our TACCESS paper, "'' Felt Listened to': Evaluating an AI-Powered Reflection Tool for Care Partners". In it, we demonstrate how AI can be used in older adults' care as an articulation tool.

August 2026 - I presented to the Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program on how older adults use AI, and the risks of doing so.

June 2026 - Our TOCHI paper titled "The Aftermath of Technology-Mediated Scams: Strengthening Older Adults’ Efforts toward Redress" was published and will be presented at CSCW 2026. We focus on understanding a gap in scam research - the post-scam experience.

February 2026 - I was an FEIT (Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology) Visiting Fellow at the University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia with Dr. Jenny Waycott.

July 2025 - In collaboration with IHPI, our report showing how older Americans and Michiganders use AI was published. Findings were also covered by The Conversation, Fast Company, and CNET.