Betsy DiSalvo

Dr. Betsy DiSalvo is an Associate Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. DiSalvo is an expert in learning sciences, participatory design, and human-centered computing. In her research, DiSalvo directs the Culture and Technology Lab (CAT Lab). There she investigates the impact of culture on technology use and production and applies that knowledge to developing novel socio-technical environments and tools. In research on undergraduate and graduate education, DiSalvo has explored the application of studio art pedagogical practices in technology classrooms to create active and engaged learning environments. The CAT Lab works with a wide range of community organizations using participatory methods to better understand and design technology for minoritized groups. DiSalvo’s participatory design efforts have led to the development of multiple award-winning educational games and the development of DataWorks and Glitch Game Testers, long-standing research platforms investigating novel technology workplaces. DiSalvo is on the Editorial Board for Transaction in Computing Education, The Computing Research Association Widening Participation Board, and has held leadership roles in ACM and educational research associations. DiSalvo’s work has included projects for the Carnegie Science Museum, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Eyedrum Art Center and the Walker Art Center. DiSalvo received her Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the Georgia Institute of Technology College of Computing in 2012.  Before coming to Georgia Tech she was a research scientist at the University of Pittsburgh Learning Research and Development Center.