Iris Howley

Iris Howley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Williams College. Her work bridges Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Learning Sciences to enhance educational experiences for learners and instructors.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University (2015)
  • M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University (2012)
  • B.S. in Computer Science, Drexel University (2008)

Howley’s research focuses on designing technologies that help learners overcome obstacles to participation, particularly in online and AI-driven educational environments. Her work includes text mining to support critical thinking, interactive explainables for algorithmic systems, and data visualization dashboards for instructors. She has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore these areas.

Her recent publications highlight trends in AI ethics education, explainable AI (XAI) for informal learning, and adaptive educational tools. These works span disciplines including computer science, psychology, and education.

Teaching is a core part of her practice, with experience in project-based learning, eTextiles curriculum design, and pedagogical workshops for higher education instructors. She holds a Stanford Postdoc Teaching Certificate and has developed innovative materials like the Accountable Talk Lego Comic for high school biology students.