Ellen Simpson

Dr. Ellen Simpson is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Alaska Southeast. She earned her Ph.D. in Information Science from the University of Colorado Boulder (2019–2024, advisor Bryan Semaan), having begun her doctoral studies at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies (2019–2021). Her research examines sociotechnical systems and creative/community labor, including LGBTQ+ people's experiences on social platforms — for example "For You, or For 'You'? Everyday LGBTQ+ Encounters with TikTok" (CSCW 2020) and "Conversations About Crime: Re-enforcing and Fighting Against Platformed Racism on Reddit" (CSCW 2022, with Qunfang Wu, Louisa Kayah Williams, and Bryan Semaan). From August 2024 she was a Researcher at the University of Virginia School of Data Science working with Mona Sloane, where she co-created the TARAI (Talent Acquisition and Recruiting AI) Index, a public database mapping AI's integration into over 100 HR and recruiting technologies, before joining the University of Alaska Southeast in 2025.

• 2025–Present·University of Alaska Southeast·Assistant Professor of Communication
• Aug 2024–2025·University of Virginia, School of Data Science·Researcher
  • Worked with Mona Sloane; co-created and launched the TARAI Index, a public database on AI transparency in recruitment technology.

• Sept 2019 – Aug 2024·University of Colorado Boulder, College of Media, Communication and Information·Ph.D., Information Science
  • Advisor: Bryan Semaan. Concentration in Human-Computer Interaction and Community Supported Cooperative Work. Previously enrolled at Syracuse University School of Information Studies (2019–2021).