Humans of HCDE is a series highlighting individuals and groups in the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering.
Black in HCDE
PhD students
Human Centered Design & Engineering
Who are we?
According to UW’s Fast Facts for 2023-2024, only 5% of all students at the University identify as Black or African American; a number even smaller for graduate students. As the largest cohort of Black PhD students in HCDE concurrently (yet), this group represents the Black diaspora with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and interests. We are committed to the personal and academic development of each other as we journey through our PhD program together.
We have a few fast facts of our own:
- Natasha N. Jones, PhD, (not pictured) was the first African American woman to graduate with a Doctoral Degree in HCDE, then Technical Communications, in 2012.
- Rafael Silva is the first Afro-Brazilian man enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
- Jay L. Cunningham is the first African American man enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
- Akeiylah DeWitt is the second African American woman enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
- Leslie Coney is the first HBCU alumna (Howard University) enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
- Nat Mengist is the first Ethiopian American enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
- Jeffrey Basoah and Adiza Awwal are the first Ghanaian Americans enrolled in the HCDE PhD program.
Our work spans across various disciplines and interests such as Black maternal and child health, Black user experiences in AI, socio-cultural informatics, environmental justice, and Black digital studies. We aim to support Black and other marginalized communities through our research and other non-academic endeavors such as community service and entrepreneurship.
Rafael Silva
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I value the holistic approach to emphasizing the human elements in design. This focus might appear straightforward initially, but upon deeper reflection, the complexity of this endeavor becomes apparent. Questions around who is prioritized, how they are prioritized, and in what ways one might be prioritized, all emerge as critical inquiries. These questions intrigue me deeply, and the more I explore them, the more driven I become to delve further into this fascinating subject.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
My favorite project involved investigating the cultural aspects of Augmented Reality, particularly in relation to civil rights and placemaking. It helped me to expand my technical understanding of this technology into an exploration towards more consequential aspects, such as community building, data stewardship, and alternative ontologies. In it, I learned about multiple cases of how people overcome physical and political limitations to tell their stories.
What is your favorite way to de-stress?
Unicycling! Although it's a physical activity, balancing on one wheel requires a good dose of focus, resilience, and goofiness. For me, it's more meditation than exercise. It helps me reflect on life, enhance my ability to navigate challenges, and become comfortable with my limitations. I'm also a unicycle evangelist, so if anyone is interested, please get in touch!
Jay Cunningham
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I chose to pursue research in HCDE after studying computer science and working in software engineering. What has been most compelling about this program is that our practices, teachings, and research are all deeply grounded in our department’s values. Building possibilities, envisioning just futures, and cultivating research at critical intersections is at the heart of what we as a community of designers and researchers do. Additionally, being guided by principles of equity , respect for people, collaborative exploration, and social impact, reminds me of the commitments our disciplines have to users who experience the technologies and systems we innovate. What I love the most about HCDE is the diverse and interdisciplinary community of practitioners that we have. We’re not like any other computing/design department at UW and people come from so many different backgrounds that contribute perspectives which constantly challenge us to consider who, where, why, what, and how.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
One of my most favorite projects has been the Black Community Advisory Board, which has been on-going since summer 2023. Extending my prior work to develop equitable and participatory approaches for involving marginalized and underrepresented communities in technology design, I have been working with 5 non-profit Seattle Black community-based organizations (CBO) as collaborative partners with HCDE to explore the interests, concerns, and knowledge might Black CBOs have about technology’s impact on their community members. It is my position that adopting community-collaborative methods in HCI, computing, and design research will garner empirical knowledge and practices for our research community, but also action for Black users and communities affected by flawed technology. This project is expanding knowledge on approaches to ensure oversight and accountability for institutional technology design and research from the interest and perspective of Black users and communities.
Where would you take someone who is visiting Seattle?
One of my favorite foodie spots in Seattle is Reckless Noodle House in the heart of the Central District. It’s a Vietnamese fusion restaurant and bar with amazing food and cocktails. The Reckless Fried Rice and Braised Beef-cheek Noodle are delectable. And the Reckless Mai Tai and Banana Hammock are two of my favorite drinks. Plus the spot is cozy, has outdoor seating with heated-lamps and they also do karaoke on Mondays. Oh, did I mention they're open until Midnight, so it’s a great option for late-night bites.
Akeiylah DeWitt
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I appreciate HCDE’s emphasis on diverse perspectives and research methods, while still maintaining a human-centered approach. Like Nat and Rafael, I feel like our focus on humanity enriches our work, but also prevents us from deliberating on whether or not to center humans in our design and research. Our diversity also fuels HCDE’s collaborative spirit, and I think it really enhances our creativity and sets us apart from other programs in our field.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
I was a member of Jay’s Directed Research Group on Race, Culture, Gender & Ethics in Technology, and I got to create a page in a Zine! I had never worked on a Zine before, so it was a cool opportunity to think about different ways to engage with research and talk about it.
Where would you take someone who is visiting Seattle?
West Seattle! I think it’s totally underrated and has a bit of a slower vibe compared to the rest of Seattle. They have so many amazing bakeries and a gorgeous park called Lincoln Park.
Nathanael Mengist
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I like studying the humanistic side of HCDE and how the humanities inform science and technology studies, including (1) the post-humanities / more-than-human life, (2) Sylvia Wynter’s theories of the human, and (3) the study of human learning.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
Helping plan a DIS 2023 Workshop titled “The Politics of Imaginaries: Probing Humanistic Inquiry in HCI”. I am most proud of recruiting Lucy Suchman and Kavita Philip to be a part of the project.
How is the community among the Black PhD students in the department?
I am proud to be a Black PhD student in HCDE. We are a cross-cohort assembly who values camaraderie, advocacy, and standing together through adversity. Also our group texts are hilarious!
Leslie Coney
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I love the interdisciplinary nature of everyone’s work and the collaborative environment of the department. I’ve learned so much during my time here through peer discussions, classes inside and outside of the department, and conversations with community members and leaders. HCDE truly encourages this expansive approach to learning!
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
I recently received a Population Health grant to work with BLKBRY, a Black-owned, community-based organization providing perinatal services and doula care for Black and Indigenous folks in Washington State. We are planning to use community-based research methods and service design to understand and improve the services and resources provided by BLKBRY through technology design and development. We are also committed to the development of Black communities in WA through non-academic events such as a community baby shower!
How is the community among the Black PhD students in the department?
Coming from a historically Black university (HBCU) for undergrad, I was very anxious about moving to a predominately white city and university. The friendship, mentorship, and care I’ve found in the Black community here in HCDE have made my transition to and journey through the PhD program nothing short of amazing; affirming my decision to be here!
Jeffrey Basoah
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
I appreciate the supportive community here, where both faculty and administration are dedicated to students' success. They consistently go above and beyond, providing the necessary tools for our achievements. My peers are always collaborative, ensuring each other's success.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
My most rewarding project involved researching the Black user experience with AI-supported writing technology. From initiating my Directed Research Group to submitting to my first HCI venue, ACM Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing, it has been a valuable learning journey that I'm grateful for.
What is your favorite way to de-stress?
To unwind, I head to the IMA for pickup basketball or a workout. It's my go-to stress relief center, and I love it!
Adiza Awwal
What do you like most about studying HCDE?
What I enjoy most about studying HCDE is the multidisciplinary nature of the discipline. It’s both exciting and incredibly interesting to be able to include so much different literature from various places in the academy.
What's a favorite project you've worked on in HCDE?
My favorite project so far is my online community study on YouTube. It’s been fascinating learning so much about nuances in articulating phenomenon that takes shape specifically on the biggest social media video platform.
What does it mean to be conducting research with Black communities?
The ability to structure my research with a focus on the experiences of both myself and my friends is something I am incredibly grateful to be able to do. For me, this opportunity is one that doesn’t pass me by without incredible gratitude.
Want to be featured in Humans of HCDE?
HCDE students, alumni, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit their information and answers to optional questions via this Google Form. You can also use the form to nominate someone else in the HCDE community.