Brian McInnis

Brian McInnis is an Assistant Professor of Social Informatics at the University of Texas at Austin's School of Information. His research focuses on designing socio-technical systems to enhance civic problem-solving through informed discussion, combining methods like system design, policy analysis, and participatory approaches. Prior to UT Austin, he held postdoctoral positions at UC San Diego's Research Center for Optimal Digital Ethics (ReCODE) and the Design Lab. He earned a PhD in Information Science from Cornell University, an MPP from Vanderbilt University, and a BA in Economics and History from UC Davis.

Education:

• PhD in Information Science, Cornell University (2019)
• Masters of Public Policy, Vanderbilt University (2008)
• BA in Economics & History, UC Davis (2006)

Research Interests: Brian investigates how computing systems can facilitate collaborative civic engagement, particularly in digital health ethics, informed consent processes, and public policy deliberation. His work emphasizes human-centered design and participatory methods to address challenges like data privacy and algorithmic transparency.

Articles Overview: His recent work explores ethical frameworks for digital health research, including informed consent innovations and data management visualization. Earlier studies examined online news moderation practices and civic design competitions. Collectively, his research bridges technology, policy, and human behavior to foster more equitable and transparent systems.

Awards:

• 2021 CSCW Impact Recognition
• 2017 Cornell Teaching Award
• 2016 Data Science for Social Good Fellowship

Advising & Grants: Brian collaborates on NSF and NIH-funded projects, including studies on ethical research design in health technologies. He has advised over 20 research projects and mentors students in HCI and public policy intersections.

Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the UC San Diego Design Lab and the ReCODE Center, focusing on optimal digital ethics. At UT Austin, he leads initiatives in civic tech innovation and participatory design.