Kayla DesPortes

Kayla DesPortes is an Assistant Professor of Human-Computer Interaction and the Learning Sciences at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, within the Department of Administration Leadership and Technology. She holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and a PhD in Human-Centered Computing from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Her research focuses on transforming computing technologies and learning environments to empower marginalized communities through equitable, arts-integrated approaches. She designs participatory systems that merge computational literacy with artistic practices, such as dance and visual arts, to foster critical thinking about social justice issues. Key initiatives include the Creative Computing Cookbook (NSF Grant #2241809) and Critical Data Stories (NSF Grant #2302658), which co-design tools for creative computing education with community organizations. She also collaborates with MIT on an NSF-funded project exploring fabrication literacies through games (Grant #2008028).

DesPortes teaches courses such as User Experience Design and Tangible Electronics for Teaching and Learning, emphasizing hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. Her work bridges the learning sciences, human-computer interaction, and community-centered design to address systemic inequities in STEM access and representation.

In grants and collaborations, she leads efforts to develop AI literacy platforms, data storytelling tools, and culturally responsive curricula. Her research emphasizes long-term partnerships with organizations like STEM From Dance and Community Word Project, prioritizing community voice and asset-based approaches.