Kristen Vaccaro

Kristen Vaccaro is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Her research primarily focuses on the design of machine learning systems and social media applications, emphasizing user agency, control, and the ethical implications of algorithmic systems.

Education and Career Background

• Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where her dissertation addressed issues of configuration and control in social media systems.23
• Prior to her current role, she has worked as a research assistant and intern at various institutions, including Adobe Research, where she explored compatibility in fashion systems.2

Research Interests

Vaccaro's work investigates how to enhance user experience in social computing by designing systems that provide users with a sense of control and satisfaction. She has studied how certain features intended to offer user control can sometimes act as placebos, improving user satisfaction even if they do not function effectively.34 Her research also delves into evaluating bias and discrimination in algorithms, as well as the legal and ethical challenges in this domain.45

Publications and Contributions

Kristen Vaccaro has contributed to various conferences and journals in her field, focusing on topics such as content moderation, algorithmic transparency, and user engagement in online platforms. Notable publications include works presented at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.13

For more information about her work or to contact her, you can visit her personal website at kvaccaro.com or reach her via email at kvaccaro@ucsd.edu.25