Kari Kraus

Kari Kraus is an Associate Professor at the College of Information Studies (INFO College) at the University of Maryland. Her research focuses on digital humanities, game studies, digital preservation, and speculative design. She holds a PhD from the University of Rochester and is affiliated with the Center for Archival Futures (CAFe) and the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL). Kraus explores topics like alternate reality games (ARGs) in educational contexts, transmedia storytelling, and the ethical use of AI in writing through tools like the HaLLMark system. Her work bridges humanities scholarship with emerging technologies, emphasizing participatory design and future-oriented thinking. Currently, she is writing a book on speculative design methodologies for envisioning possible futures. Kraus's publications span digital preservation strategies, youth engagement through games, and the intersection of technology with cultural heritage.

Research Interests:

• New Media and Digital Humanities
• Game-Based Learning and ARG Design
• Speculative Design and Futures Studies
• Digital Preservation and Cultural Memory
• Transmedia Storytelling and Co-Design
• Ethics of AI in Academic Writing

Recent Article Trends: Recent work emphasizes ethical AI integration (e.g., HaLLMark's provenance tracking), ARG applications in libraries and museums, and speculative design frameworks. Her research often combines NLP, visualization tools, and participatory methods to address challenges in digital culture and education.

Awards: No explicit awards listed, though her work has been featured in outlets like the New York Times and Wired.

Advising & Grants: Kraus is currently not accepting PhD students. Her projects include grants for STEM learning through scientific ARGs and collaborations with public libraries.

Labs & Teams: Active in CAFe (archival futures) and HCIL (human-centered tech research). Collaborates on initiatives like the Arcane Gallery of Gadgetry ARG and youth-focused digital projects.