C. Estelle Smith is a PhD student in GroupLens Research at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities whose vision is to innovate and build new tools and systems that protect information integrity online. Her core research interests revolve around socio-technical infrastructures that support scientific media creation for the general public. Are there technological opportunities for helping scientists and media creators overcome obstacles to work together more efficiently and effectively? [Check out this video and learn more about her breakout award-winning CHI paper.] How are different stakeholders in media production interacting on- and offline? How do these interactions affect the communication of scientific results and rationale? How can we shift our technological paradigm in way that encourages a higher degree of public engagement with science?
Estelle holds both a B.A. in English (Creative Writing, 2010) and a B.S. in Neuroscience (2015) from the University of Minnesota. Between degrees, she worked in Marketing at San Francisco tech start-ups from 2011-2013. Upon returning to academia, she took up work as a Freelance Science Writer and Photographer for the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) at the University of Minnesota, producing web copy, blog posts, print features, photo essays, and more. She has also worked with the BioTechnology Institute (BTI) to develop and teach workshops to train future science writers. Empowering people to tell the stories of science through teaching and technology development is a core personal and professional value.
As a result of her highly interdisciplinary academic and professional background, Estelle brings a diverse set of knowledge and skills to her research on technology for science communications. She is a passionate researcher, communicator, and educator dedicated to helping the general public have better access to information and resources related to science, health, and technology.
Estelle is advised by Professor Haiyi Zhu and has been supported by Teaching Assistantships and the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) fellowship.
