Catherine Beaton

Catherine Beaton is an Associate Professor in the School of Information at the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She holds a BA, B.Ed., and MITE from Dalhousie University (Canada). Her research focuses on accessibility, human-computer interaction (HCI), and ethics in computing, with a particular emphasis on leveraging technology to support inclusive education for marginalized populations.

Dr. Beaton’s work spans multiple domains, including the ethical use of AI in education, accessibility innovations for people with disabilities, and the impact of emerging technologies on learning outcomes. She leads projects like INSPIRE, which supports disabled faculty in academia, and has developed workshops for K-12 educators on integrating generative AI into teaching. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on ethics in computing, HCI fundamentals, and user experience design.

Her publications address topics such as generative AI in higher education, ethical user interface design, and accessibility challenges in digital learning environments. Beaton is also passionate about bridging the gap between technological innovation and equitable access, advocating for policies that ensure technology serves all users, including those with disabilities.

Current projects include investigating industry expectations of computing graduates and studying how multiple language learners utilize AI tools for academic and personal purposes. Her interdisciplinary approach combines HCI principles with ethical frameworks to drive inclusive technological solutions.