Katherine Isbister

Katherine Isbister is a full professor in the Computational Media Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She leads the Social Emotional Technology Lab and the Center for Computational Experience. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction and game design, particularly the design and impact of emotional and social connections. Isbister has authored multiple academic books, including Better Game Characters by Design and How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design, the latter of which received an award from the American Library Association. She previously served as a professor at New York University, where she founded the Game Innovation Lab. Additionally, she is a recipient of MIT Technology Review’s TR100 Young Innovators Award and an ACM Distinguished Scientist. Her research has been featured widely in media outlets including Scientific American, Wired, and NPR.

• 2015 – Present·University of California, Santa Cruz·Full Professor
  • Leads the Social Emotional Technology Lab and Center for Computational Experience, focusing on enhancing social and emotional connections through games and interactive technologies.
• Before 2015·New York University·Associate Professor, Director of Game Innovation Lab
  • Taught and conducted research within the Computer Science Department and Game Center. Founded and led the Game Innovation Lab to advance research on game design.
• 2000 – 2015·Research Institutes and Software Companies·Researcher and Consultant
  • Worked at research institutions in Japan, Sweden, Denmark, and the United States. Advised companies such as Microsoft, Paramount, BMW, EA, and Ubisoft.

• 1990 – 1999·Stanford University·PhD
  • Specialized in Communication and Human-Computer Interaction.
• 1986 – 1990·Undergraduate Institution Not Provided·Bachelor's Degree
  • Specific details about the undergraduate major are unavailable.