Informatics
PhD
University of California Irvine
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Faculty
Faculty
Lucretia Williams, PHD ( she/her)
Assistant Professor
Department/Office
- Information Systems & Supply Chain Management
School/College
- School of Business
Biography
Dr. Lucretia Williams is currently an assistant professor in information systems and supply chain management whose interdisciplinary scholarship examines how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies shape access to information, decision-making, organizational systems, and participation in society. A central question guiding her scholarship is how emerging technologies can be designed, evaluated, and governed to improve access and engagement while remaining responsive to the social, cultural, and institutional contexts in which they operate. Her recent work examines topics including cognitive workload in human–AI interaction, responsible evaluation of generative AI, culturally responsive AI systems, AI-supported decision-making, and the role of generative AI as an information infrastructure shaping entrepreneurial opportunity.
Prior to joining the faculty, Dr. Williams served as a senior research scientist at Howard University’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, where she started the Lab for Advancing Technology for Education, Health, and New Ventures in AI (ATHENA). Her research has included large-scale community-centered AI initiatives such as Project Elevate Black Voices, a $2 million collaboration with Google focused on developing a geographically and linguistically diverse African American English speech dataset.
She is also best known for leading and executing international, large-scale interdisciplinary and multi-institutional community-based research efforts. In addition, she has a decade of entrepreneurial experience in startups and tech innovation.
She received her master's and PhD in informatics from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor's in psychology from Howard University.
Education & Expertise
Education
Psychology
Bachelors
Howard University
Expertise
Human-computer Interaction
Community-Based Research
Participatory Design
Health
Artificial Intelligence
Information systems
Academics
Academics
CSCI 652: Special Topics in Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Computer Interaction is a field that investigates the design and development of technology that integrates into human life. By understanding user needs, behaviors, and cognitive processes, HCI professionals create intuitive and efficient systems that enhance human capabilities. In today’s digitally saturated world, HCI is indispensable. HCI principles shape our daily experiences, from the smartphones we carry to the complex software applications that power our cities. The success of countless businesses and the overall quality of life depend on well-designed interfaces and interactions. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to contribute to this dynamic field and create technology that benefits diverse users.
Each week will consist of reading relevant papers on HCI topics, presentations on these topics, and in-depth discussions. Students are expected to contribute, share, and reflect on HCI’s contributions to society through leading class discussions and the development of a personal project.
Research
Research
Specialty
Human-computer Interaction, Health, and AIFunding
Computing Research Association Trustworthy AI Fellowship (2025-2026) - $16,000
HUxPNC Faculty Fellowship (2025-2026) - $10,000
Aim-Ahead Fellowship (2024-2025) - $50,000
Group Information
Association for Computing Machinery (Member)
