Hi! I am Riya, a 2nd year Phd Student at the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), where I am advised by Dr. Hanlin Li.

My research interests lie in social computing, human-computer interaction, and computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). I explore how people interact, collaborate, and govern their data online. Currently, I am examining data work in various online communities, with a larger goal of understanding and improving data governance in digital spaces. I use both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, surveys, and mixed-methods approaches, and aim to contribute to the design of more transparent, equitable, and user-centered digital ecosystems.

Prior to beginning my PhD, I earned a Master’s degree in Information Studies from the UT Austin, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, and worked as a UX Researcher at Apple in the hardware team. Before that, I completed a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from IIIT Delhi and worked as a Senior Software Engineer at HSBC.