Alexandra To

Alexandra To is a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researcher, game designer, and racial justice advocate. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Northeastern University, affiliated with the College of Arts, Media and Design (Game Design) and the Khoury College of Computer Sciences. Her research focuses on leveraging qualitative research methods and design techniques to explore the experiences of marginalized groups and empower these communities through technology and narrative design. She earned her Ph.D. in HCI from Carnegie Mellon University and holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University with a minor in Asian American Studies. Her work spans user experience research, educational game design, and expert crowdsourcing, with a particular emphasis on addressing issues like racism through sociotechnical systems.

• 2020–Present·Northeastern University·Assistant Professor
  • Research areas include Human-Computer Interaction, Game Design, and Critical Race Theory, focusing on empowering marginalized communities through design and technology.
  • Teaches and mentors students in courses related to arts, design, and computer science.

• 2014–2020·Carnegie Mellon University·Ph.D.
  • Specialization in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); dissertation title: "Empowering Marginalized Communities to Navigate Uncertainty through Sociotechnical Systems."
• 2010–2014·Stanford University·M.S. and B.S. (with Honors)
  • Majored in Symbolic Systems with a minor in Asian American Studies.