Jed R. Brubaker

Jed R. Brubaker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of Colorado Boulder within the College of Media, Communication and Information. He received his PhD from the University of California, Irvine in 2015 with his dissertation "Death, Identity, and the Social Network," establishing his research focus on how digital technologies intersect with deeply personal human experiences.

• University: University of Colorado Boulder
• School: College of Media, Communication and Information
• Department: Department of Information Science
• Academic Rank: Associate Professor

Brubaker's research spans several critical areas in contemporary digital society. His work on digital legacy and post-mortem data management has been foundational, examining how social media platforms support users dealing with death and bereavement. His early research with Gillian Hayes on Facebook's Legacy Contact feature directly influenced platform design. His investigations into gender identity and representation online have highlighted how digital systems accommodate (or fail to accommodate) non-binary and transgender identities, particularly in dating apps and facial recognition systems. More recently, he has pioneered research on generative AI for digital afterlives, exploring how these emerging technologies might reshape our relationship with memory and loss.

His publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on how digital technologies shape and are shaped by human experiences of identity during life transitions. His work combines rigorous qualitative methods with critical analysis of sociotechnical systems, addressing topics ranging from suicide bereavement letter-writing practices to transfeminist approaches to platform design. Brubaker has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles in top venues including CHI, CSCW, and the Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction.

• Most cited work: "Departing glances: A sociotechnical account of 'leaving' Grindr" (New Media & Society, 2016)
• Key collaborations: Casey Fiesler, Gillian Hayes, Morgan Scheuerman, Dylan Doyle
• Research impact: Direct influence on Facebook's Legacy Contact feature design

As a mentor and collaborator, Brubaker has worked extensively with early-career researchers, particularly supporting LGBTQ+ scholars in HCI through workshops and publications like "Queer in HCI: Strengthening the Community of LGBTQIA+ Researchers and Research." His work consistently emphasizes ethical considerations in technology design, especially when addressing vulnerable populations and sensitive life experiences. Current projects suggest growing interest in how AI systems can better support human needs during life transitions while addressing potential harms and biases.