As a researcher, my work explores the intersection between technology and people. More specifically, I have an above-average interest in understanding how technologies are shaping the modern workplace, what are its ongoing impact for workers, how workers attempt to adapt, and how they can be better supported in their work lives. I am also a teacher. In my teaching, I aim to create a supportive learning environment to help students across various disciplinary backgrounds gain digital literacy skills that will enable them to confidently and critically interact with digital tools at school and beyond. Prior to becoming a researcher/teacher, I was a programmer where I had done work within the education domain developing digital learning tools for students.

Research Interest

  • Future of work
  • Digital labor
  • Online labor platforms
  • AI and work

Education

  • Ph.D. Information Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • M.S. Information Studies, University of Texas at Austin
  • B.S. Computer Science, Rice University

Research

Understanding the impact of AI for knowledge workers
AI broadly, and generative AI in particular, has been viewed as an epistemic technology for knowledge workers. To understand how knowledge workers make sense of a black-boxed technology, and make hiring, educational, career-related decisions in light of this technology, work has been conducted with knowledge workers ranging from librarian and archivy students, HR professionals, online freelancers, to workers undergoing career transitions.

Teaching

Have taught introductory programming classes through a variety of programs for middle and high school students. In graduate school, I have led digital literacy classes as a teaching assistant and instructor of record across in-person and remote modalities.

Contact

Email: lanli1029[at]gmail