Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
Understanding the risks, impacts, motivators, and benefits of online information sharing.
Research Projects
Collaborative Research: ER2: Developing Educational Resources for the Ethical Use of Pervasive Data
Principal Investigator(s): Jessica Vitak
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Privacy and Sociotechnical Cybersecurity > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project develops educational resources and training to promote ethical practices in the collection, storage, and analysis of pervasive data from digital platforms. By creating case studies, interactive modules, and “train the trainer” programs, it aims to enhance responsible research practices among computing students and early-career researchers.
Principal Investigator(s): Jessica Vitak
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Privacy and Sociotechnical Cybersecurity > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project develops educational resources and training to promote ethical practices in the collection, storage, and analysis of pervasive data from digital platforms. By creating case studies, interactive modules, and “train the trainer” programs, it aims to enhance responsible research practices among computing students and early-career researchers.
Developing and Investigating Data Science Interventions Connected to University Athletics to Address Systemic Racism in Undergraduate STEM Education (better known as DataGOAT)
Principal Investigator(s): Tamara Clegg
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Future of Work > Health Informatics > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media > Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
This project, DataGOAT, engages Black male collegiate athletes in data science by connecting their sports performance and health data to STEM learning. It aims to overcome racialized stereotypes, foster STEM identities, and create educational pathways through courses, internships, and data analysis tools, benefiting both participants and the broader educational community.
Principal Investigator(s): Tamara Clegg
Funder: National Science Foundation
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Future of Work > Health Informatics > Human-Computer Interaction > Information Justice, Human Rights, and Technology Ethics > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media > Youth Experience, Learning, and Digital Practices
This project, DataGOAT, engages Black male collegiate athletes in data science by connecting their sports performance and health data to STEM learning. It aims to overcome racialized stereotypes, foster STEM identities, and create educational pathways through courses, internships, and data analysis tools, benefiting both participants and the broader educational community.
Detecting and Mapping War-induced Damage to Agricultural Fields in Ukraine using Multi-Modal Remote Sensing Data
Principal Investigator(s): Sergii Skakun
Funder: NASA - Proposal Only Other Federal
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Human-Computer Interaction > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Smart Cities and Connected Communities > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project advances remote sensing methods to map war-induced damage to Ukraine’s agricultural fields using infrared and visible spectrum satellite data. By developing deep-learning and data fusion techniques, the research will detect artillery craters, burned areas, and abandoned fields to assess the war’s impact on agriculture at scale.
Principal Investigator(s): Sergii Skakun
Funder: NASA - Proposal Only Other Federal
Research Areas: Data Science, Analytics, and Visualization > Human-Computer Interaction > Machine Learning, AI, Computational Linguistics, and Information Retrieval > Smart Cities and Connected Communities > Social Networks, Online Communities, and Social Media
This project advances remote sensing methods to map war-induced damage to Ukraine’s agricultural fields using infrared and visible spectrum satellite data. By developing deep-learning and data fusion techniques, the research will detect artillery craters, burned areas, and abandoned fields to assess the war’s impact on agriculture at scale.
Faculty
Staff
Recent News
Photo licensed by Adobe Stock via Chanelle Malambo/peopleimages.com.
Turning Hand-Planted Seeds into Data-Driven Harvests
An iConsultancy partnership with Roots Africa helps the organization maximize their data
Led by the University of Maryland, TRAILS was launched in May 2023 with a $20 million award from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The institute is focused on developing, building and modeling participatory research that—over time—will increase trust in AI. Illustration courtesy of TRAILS. Image via Maryland Today.
Maryland Today: $750K in Seed Grants Awarded by UMD-Led Coalition on Trustworthy AI
Six INFO faculty are among researchers awarded $750K+ in TRAILS funding to advance trustworthy, human-centered AI innovation
A lack of access to solid information has bred cynicism, depression and willingness to bend rules among the estimated 400 million people nationwide battling long COVID, according to new UMD research. Illustration by Adobe Stock via Maryland Today.