Anna Rafferty

Anna Rafferty is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Carleton College, where she has been teaching since 2014. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, under Professor Tom Griffiths, and holds an MS from Stanford University. As the chair of the Computer Science Department, she plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping academic programs.

Research Interests: Her work focuses on applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance education. Key projects include:

• Developing ML models for educational assessment that provide granular insights into student understanding
• Using inverse reinforcement learning to diagnose algebra misconceptions via Emmy's Workshop
• Optimizing game-based assessments for efficient knowledge diagnosis
• Building adaptive platforms for chemistry education with automated feedback systems
• Exploring bandit algorithms to dynamically improve online educational content

Teaching: She teaches foundational CS courses (CS111, CS254) and advanced topics like natural language processing and machine learning. Her commitment to education extends to outreach programs, including teaching at Girls Inc. and volunteering for Expanding Your Horizons and Women in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Berkeley.