Rahaf Alharbi

Rahaf Alharbi is an Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute's School of Information, conducting research at the intersection of accessibility, human-computer interaction (HCI), and disability justice activism. She collaborates directly with blind, D/deaf, and neurodivergent communities to design equitable technologies while critiquing systemic harms in AI systems.

Education

• Ph.D. in Information, University of Michigan (advised by Dr. Robin Brewer and Dr. Sarita Schoenebeck)
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (minor in Ethnic Studies), University of California, San Diego

Research Focus

Her scholarship reimagines AI tools for visual information access through disability studies frameworks, emphasizing privacy transparency and cultural competence. Current projects include multilingual captioning systems and workplace accessibility solutions co-created with disabled communities. She advocates for centering lived experience in technology design to combat algorithmic bias and exclusion.

Publication Trends

Her recent work in CHI, ASSETS, and CSCW reveals critical patterns: prioritizing community-led AI error verification, exposing hidden labor in hybrid meetings, documenting DIY assistive technology practices, and challenging one-size-fits-all obfuscation approaches. Collectively, these studies demonstrate how disability justice principles can transform responsible AI development across visual assistance, workplace inclusion, and privacy technologies.

Scientific Recognition

• Gary M. Olson Outstanding PhD Student Award (UMSI)
• Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship for "unusually creative, ambitious, and impactful" dissertation work

Professional Engagement

As a new faculty member, she has not yet listed advisees. Her doctoral research was supported by the Rackham Fellowship and industry collaborations, including internships at Microsoft Research (Ability team) and Meta (Responsible AI team). She actively participates in HCI community initiatives like HCIC.

Research Context

Her methodology emphasizes community partnerships over extractive research, working directly with blind communities on AI verification tools and with D/deaf/neurodivergent groups on captioning solutions. Past industry engagements at Microsoft and Meta informed her critical perspective on responsible AI systems.