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Digital technology impact on society

This explores the multifaceted effects of digital technologies on social structures, cultural norms, economic systems and individual behaviors, examining both positive advancements and potential challenges in the evolving digital landscape.

What does it take to get non-consensual nudity removed online? UMSI research finds legal pressure matters

05/19/2026

New research co-authored by UMSI finds platforms ignore many non–consensual nudity reports filed through internal systems, but respond quickly when the same content is reported as copyright infringement.

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Quoted by STAT News. Assistant professor Misha Teplitskiy. Fraudulent citations blamed on AI hallucinations are becoming more common in research papers.

Teplitskiy: AI-generated “slop” is polluting scientific citations

05/11/2026

UMSI assistant professor Misha Teplitskiy warns that fabricated references are becoming more common in academic research.

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UMSI research. Aspiring towards decency: Collectively and creatively appropriating information communication technology in Havana. Sylvia Darling Postdoctoral research fellow. Michaelanne Thomas, assistant professor.

From scarcity to solidarity: How Cubans creatively access and share digital technology

05/04/2026

New UMSI research examines how people in Havana, Cuba appropriate smartphones and internet access amid persistent economic constraints.

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New book from UMSI faculty. A Dialogue of the Senses. A comprehensive introduction to embodied cognition for designers of interactive artifacts, systems and environments. umsi.info/news.

New book by Sile O’Modhrain explores how the human body shapes interaction design experiences

04/14/2026

“A Dialogue of the Senses” reframes perception as a multimodal, embodied experience for designers of interactive systems.

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UMSI at CHI 2026. April 13-17 2026. Barcelona, Spain. umsi.info/news

More than 50 UMSI researchers to present at CHI 2026 in Barcelona, Spain

04/10/2026

UMSI research and workshops for the 2026 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

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2026 Google Academic Research Awards. Mustafa Naseem. Clinical Associate Professor. Tawanna Dillahunt. Professor. Florian Schaub. Associate Professor.

Three UMSI researchers earn Google Academic Research Awards to combat AI scams

02/23/2026

New projects led by Tawanna Dillahunt, Mustafa Naseem and Florian Schaub explore how community partnerships and user-centered designs can help reduce scam risks.

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Quoted by CNN. Professor Nicole Ellison. Digital age brings Denmark's postal service to historic end.

Ellison: As letters disappear, people find new ways to connect online

01/07/2026

UMSI professor Nicole Ellison reflects on what Denmark’s move to phase out traditional mail says about online communication.

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A colorful mural at the corner of Monica Street and McNichols in Detroit that reads "Detroit was made in the neighborhoods."

Community Tech Consultants help Detroiters thrive online

01/06/2026

How UMSI faculty Tawanna Dillahunt and Julie Hui are scaling community-based tech support to narrow the digital divide for Detroit small business owners.

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2025 ACM Distinguished Members. Sarita Schoenebeck, Professor. Daniel Romero, Associate Professor.

Sarita Schoenebeck and Daniel Romero named ACM Distinguished Members

12/16/2025

The ACM Distinguished Member program recognizes up to 10% of the worldwide ACM membership for their technical achievements and service to the field.

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Schmidt Sciences Humanities and AI Virtual Institute Grant. Abigail Jacobs. Assistant professor.

Abigail Jacobs earns Schmidt Sciences grant for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI and humanities

12/11/2025

Jacobs’ project will bridge artificial intelligence and humanities to explore how culture, meaning and context shape the way AI interprets images.

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