Building Interfaces for Tomorrow’s Technology Connecting Virginia Tech and Norfolk State through the A4RC Research Alliance D. Scott McCrickard Denis Gracanin Ashley Robinson

The National Science Foundation’s Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Alliances “NSF is particularly interested in increasing the numbers of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities in research.” BPC Alliances seek to encourage people from underrepresented groups to pursue technical fields. Goal of A4RC—the Alliance for the Advancement of African American Researchers in Computing: –To foster increased African American student awareness of and entry into computing research careers by promoting collaboration between Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Research-1 Universities.

A4RC Activities Dual-feeder model: supports resource and information exchange among HBCUs and research institutions— toward expanding undergraduate computing opportunities at both HBCUs and research institutions Course material repository: repository of student and faculty video profiles, professional interest panels, and in-class activities Research pods: Faculty and students in HBCU partnering institutions are paired with research faculty in the R1 partners for a year-round experience in collaborative research A success story: Ashley Robinson, NSU Alum

Virginia Tech

Computer Science Department Approximately 190 graduate students –Over half are PhD students. Over 85% of all students (over 95% of PhD students) are funded by CS Department or by other departments or companies

Computer Science Department Significant recent growth — 40 tenure-track faculty in Blacksburg in Fall 2006, including: –20 new hires since 2002 – Particularly strong groups in –Human Computer Interaction –Systems & HPC –Computational Biology & Bioinformatics –Software Engineering –Digital Libraries –

What is HCI? How do humans and technology communicate with one another? How do humans communicate/collaborate with other humans through technological mediation? How can technology be used to understand human activities?

VT Center for HCI Multi-disciplinary university center Chartered in 1995, HCI research since 1979 Director: Francis Quek (CS) Collaborators in architecture, bioinformatics, building construction, education, civil engineering, psychology… Funding: NSF, ONR, NIOSH, industry, …

VT HCI People Shawn Bohner Doug Bowman Dan Dunlap Roger Ehrich Ed Fox Joe Gabbard Denis Gracanin Steve Harrison Rex Hartson Debby Hix Andrea Kavanaugh Brian Kleiner Scott McCrickard Chris North Manuel Pérez- Quiñones Tonya Smith-Jackson Deborah Tatar Francis Quek Woodrow Winchester

Facilities – Research Labs and Groups Cutting edge facilities and equipment support research not possible elsewhere Top-notch faculty and grad students help guide students toward research goals REU in HCI

Visualization research at Virginia Tech High-resolution Visualization Geospatial Visualization Bioinformatics Data Visualization Network Security Visualization Rapid Construction with Snap How does visualization generate insight?

Visualization Cluster computing for DVEs information processing and computational steering using clusters integrated within DVEs. Information infrastructure visualization effective visualization of transportation, communication and other infrastructure data. Interactive visual analysis and exploration from modeling and simulation to visualization and exploration. Denis Gracanin

Virginia Tech’s REU Program Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focus –acknowledgement in HCI of the importance of the diversity of skills and experiences from women and minorities –diversity in race and gender in faculty mentors (one of two PIs and five of ten other mentors are women or minorities) Partner organizations NC A&T, Bennett College, Norfolk State, Hollins University –local schools simplifies travel and relocation –previous relationships through grants and projects Significant commitment from department and university –understanding in administration of the value of diversity –CS promise of an annual fellowship to the top student who returns to Virginia Tech for graduate school REU in HCI

Just the facts… 12 undergrads for 8 weeks Weekly summer stipend of $ Housing, meal plan included Dates of program May 21-July 7 Application available on the web site –Applications due March 31 –Notifications sent out April 7 REU in HCI

Building Interfaces for Tomorrow’s Technology Connecting Virginia Tech and Norfolk State through the A4RC Research Alliance D. Scott McCrickard Denis Gracanin Ashley Robinson

Questions and issues Identifying unique skills of diverse populations that assist faculty goals –publicize skills to faculty –make clear how faculty can use skills –connect skills to faculty goals Encouraging faculty to add/expand mentorship to their list of responsibilities –diversity is important because it helps other populations but also because it also helps our research endeavors Presenting the unique benefits of diversity to faculty and administrators –anecdotal stories of success –statistical data reflecting benefits REU in HCI

REU in HCI Broadening Participation in Computing through the Research Experience for Undergrads Program Building Interfaces for Tomorrow’s Technology through the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Research in Human-Computer Interaction Program D. Scott McCrickard Woodrow W. Winchester

Program activities Orientation –Program & campus overview –Survival skills boot camp –Grad school overview –Laboratories overview Creation of Research Prospectus –with faculty members/lab groups Mid-term evaluations/lunches Final presentations Connections with students beyond the program REU in HCI

Understand ways to approach hard problems with novel, structured techniques –specification of opportunities that will result in valued solutions –development of products that embodies innovation Provide a "hands-on" experience with processes and products of research –current domain areas & application platforms –system classification and description procedures –information and interaction design considerations –development and evaluation methodologies Experience joys and frustrations of research Why research? REU in HCI

Things to consider… Typical projects must extend well developed skill sets— examples: –Build (programming), test, document –Extensive literature review Many different models for sponsoring successful projects –1-to-1 mentorship by faculty –Small research groups and seminar projects –Graduate student involvement Questions to ask: –Will my project lead to a publishable product? –Will my project lead to grad school, internships, and jobs? –Will there be continuation of my project over time? –How will my project lead to broader collaborations: minority, multidisciplinary, inter-university, etc? Potential venues for research –Academic, corporate, government, military opportunities REU in HCI