From research to help build a more ethical world to critical work on digitized books to studying human behaviors in web environments to even running the Boston Marathon, the three new Department of Information and Library Science hires are positioned to make a difference at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
Christina Boyles, Yuerong Hu and Siqi Wu have joined the faculty for the 2024-25 academic year. Hu, who just completed her Ph.D. in Information Sciences at the University of Illinois, will teach Database Design. Boyles, who was an assistant professor at Michigan State, will teach Digital Humanities. Wu, finished his postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan’s Center for Social Media Responsibility, will teach Social Media Mining.
“All three engage in exciting research,” said Noriko Hara, chair of the ILS department and professor of Information Science. “Christina and Yuerong bring their expertise in Digital Humanities, but in unique ways. Siqi’s research focuses on social informatics, especially on social media and engagement.
“They all will enrich the existing ILS curriculum.”
Hu’s research focuses on cultural analytics, digital humanities and critical data studies. Her main interest is in critical research on digitized books and online book reviews.
In May, Hu gave a talk at Luddy Hall as part of the ILS Colloquium Series. Titled “Comparative Analysis of Classics Curated by Users Across Douban (a Chinese-based platform) and Goodreads,” it addressed how book reviewers’ interests and opinions about classic literature differ across platforms and demonstrates the necessity of diversifying books studied in online research.
Hu said she came to Luddy because it’s a “powerful and creative home for inter-disciplinary research, particularly research focused on information.
“I also love Luddy’s collegial and supportive community.”
Boyles said her research, teaching and service tie into social justice issues.
“Growing up in inner-city Minneapolis, I became acutely aware of the inequalities experienced by the socioeconomically disadvantaged and deeply saddened by the dehumanization of my neighbors and friends. I realized that the infrastructure around me -- highways and hospitals, technological services, and public works -- were designed to maintain separation between my neighborhood and those that were deemed more respectable. Avid to intervene in these practices, I became determined to work as an advocate in my profession and for my community.”
Boyles’ research focuses on the inequalities experienced by marginalized populations within the United States, specifically in Puerto Rico.
“By examining the ways in which texts, technologies, and social movements reinforce narratives of oppression, I critique existing inequalities and propose ethical alternatives.”
She said her research advocates for social justice within information and library sciences as well as beyond the academy. She explores the relationship between digital technologies, community archiving, and social justice using two central approaches: critiquing cultural practices involving digital tools, and developing ethical frameworks for using digital technologies and distributing them through research outputs, software developments, pedagogical resources, and community engagement models.
“The goal is to generate new opportunities for community engagement that help build a better, more ethical world,” she said.
Boyles calls the Luddy School “a great fit for me as a researcher and a collaborator,” and a place that supports the varied aspects of her work.
“I am so excited to join a community of incredible people and scholars. Everyone has already been tremendously kind and welcoming. I am looking forward to getting more connected to Luddy and to making IU my academic home.”
Wu, who will be a tenure track assistant professor at Luddy, got his Ph.D. in Computer Science at Australian National University.
He’s a computational social scientist who collects, models, and analyzes web data at scale. Topics include content consumption and political polarization.
Wu said he started with applied machine learning, but shifted to studying human behaviors in web environments.
He is also a runner and participated in his first Boston Marathon last April. An avid trail runner, he’s gone as far as 100 miles and has run in more than 70 ultra marathons.