Jessica Vitak

Jessica Vitak is a Professor at the University of Maryland, College of Information Studies (iSchool) and Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL). She also holds a joint appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on assessing the privacy and ethical implications of big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other “smart” technologies. Vitak is dedicated to exploring how privacy concerns impact the adoption and use of technology and developing tools and resources to help both children and adults make more informed decisions when using technologies and sharing sensitive data. Her research spans areas including data privacy, sociotechnical security, information justice, and technology ethics.

• Present·University of Maryland, College of Information Studies·Professor
  • Researching the role of privacy and ethics in big data and intelligent technologies while leading the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL).
• Present·University of Maryland, Department of Communication·Affiliate Professor
  • Exploring intersections between communication studies and technology ethics.

• 2007·Michigan State University·PhD
  • Media and Information Studies