Leysia Palen
About Leysia Palen
Leysia Palen is a Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, recognized for her contributions to human-computer interaction and crisis informatics. She has authored over 90 articles, directed significant research projects, and received multiple awards, including the ACM Computer Human Interaction Social Impact Award in 2015.
Work at University of Colorado
Leysia Palen has been a faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder since 1998, contributing to the academic community for over 26 years. She founded the Department of Information Science in 2015 and served as its chair until 2019. Palen also directs the Project EPIC research initiative, which focuses on providing the public with critical information during crises. Additionally, she co-directs the Center for Software & Society, further emphasizing her commitment to research in human-computer interaction and cooperative work.
Education and Expertise
Leysia Palen earned her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego. She continued her education at UC Irvine, where she obtained her PhD in Information and Computer Science between 1993 and 1998. Her academic background supports her expertise in human-computer interaction, computer-supported cooperative work, and crisis informatics, fields in which she has authored over 90 articles and co-edited a book.
Achievements
In 2016, Leysia Palen was elected to the ACM CHI Academy, recognizing her contributions to the field of human-computer interaction. She received the ACM Computer Human Interaction Social Impact Award in 2015 for her work in crisis informatics. As a Principal Investigator, she has secured $5 million in grants from the US National Science Foundation, including an NSF CAREER award in 2006. Her role as an Associate Editor for the Human Computer Interaction Journal and the Computer-Supported Cooperative Work Journal further highlights her influence in the academic community.
Professional Experience
Leysia Palen has a diverse professional background that includes positions at Boeing Commercial, USWEST Advanced Technologies, Microsoft Commercial, and Xerox PARC. This experience in various technology sectors complements her academic pursuits and enhances her understanding of the practical applications of her research in human-computer interaction and cooperative work.