Amy Cook

Amy Cook is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Memphis, serving as Undergraduate Coordinator. She holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University (2019), an M.S. from Carnegie Mellon, and a B.S. in Computer Science and Math from Emory University. Her research bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computer Science Education, focusing on student success in STEM through technology-enhanced pedagogy. She designs systems for peer feedback, group work strategies, and educational games, often testing interventions in CS and game design courses.

Teaching responsibilities include Human-Computer Interaction courses and the undergraduate Capstone project. Beyond academia, she actively supports student communities as faculty sponsor for the UofM Men’s Ultimate team and Women in Computing group. Key research themes include leveraging interactive technologies to improve learning outcomes, with a secondary focus on games research and their societal impacts.

Her work consistently addresses challenges in CS education, such as optimizing teaching assistant feedback, predicting student performance through in-class activities, and fostering collaborative learning environments. Recent studies explore pandemic effects on gaming behavior and motivation, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches to HCI.

Dr. Cook’s publications span peer feedback systems, live coding pedagogy, and audience engagement in game live streaming. She emphasizes practical strategies for educational technology integration, balancing theoretical rigor with classroom applicability.