Emily M. Hastings

Emily M. Hastings is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2023) and M.S. (2019) and B.A. degrees from Knox College (2016). Her research focuses on algorithmic team formation, human-computer interaction, and computer science education. She has conducted research at NIST and collaborated with institutions like the University of Michigan.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Illinois (2016-2023)
• M.S. in Computer Science, University of Illinois (2016-2019)
• B.A. in Computer Science, Knox College (2012-2016), with a self-designed minor in Renaissance and Medieval Studies

Research Interests: Her work addresses technical, design, and social challenges in algorithmic team formation, particularly in educational and industrial contexts. She explores how stakeholders (instructors, students, technicians) can influence algorithmic decisions to enhance collaborative outcomes. Additional interests include creativity support systems (e-textiles, digital humanities) and the intersection of computer science with historical studies.

Awards:

• Listed as an Excellent Teacher by University of Illinois students (2021-2022)
• Tau Beta Pi Honor Society (2021)
• Mavis Future Faculty Fellowship (2020-2021)

Teaching & Service: Teaches courses like CS 145 (Programming Fundamentals), CS 146 (Big Picture in CS), and CS 335 (Algorithms). She has led workshops on accessibility in design and served as a mentor for initiatives like Girls Who Code. Her creative projects include a craft business (Realms of Legend) and historical costume construction inspired by Elizabethan England.

Labs/Teams: Active in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s CS department research groups, focusing on educational technology and algorithmic fairness. Previously collaborated with NIST’s Knowledge Extraction and Application team on maintenance workflow optimization.