UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jeffrey Bardzell has been named associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, effective Aug. 1.
Bardzell comes to Penn State from Indiana University-Bloomington, where he served as a professor of informatics and program director for human computer interaction design (HCI/d) in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
In his new role, Bardzell is responsible for leading a team that provides strategic direction and management for the complete academic experience in the college.
“I am excited to help foster an inclusive learning community where faculty-led research and teaching, undergraduate and graduate student projects, and professional staff initiatives synergistically work together to advance the college's leadership in IT innovation,” said Bardzell. “Though based in hard work, innovation can also be a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to crafting great academic experiences for our students.”
As director of the Human Computer Interaction Design program at IU, Bardzell led an overhaul of the HCI/d master’s degree curriculum, revamped the program’s brand identity, and led the development of an undergraduate curriculum that will go into production this academic year. As an instructor, he has taught more than 700 master’s level students, as well as hundreds of undergraduates.
In his research, Bardzell examines design theory, focusing on critical design, research through design and design criticism; and emerging social computing practices, including critical-empirical students on maker communities in the U.S. and Asia, intimate and sexual interaction, and online creative communities.
He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, is the co-author of “Humanistic HCI”, and serves as co-editor of “Critical Theory and Interaction Designs”. He has been awarded nearly $13 million in external grants and has won more than a dozen awards for his research and teaching.
“Dr. Bardzell brings decades of research and teaching experience in human computer interaction design – an area of strength for the College of IST, which we continue to build upon,” said Andrew Sears, dean. “We look forward to Dr. Bardzell’s expertise in this area, as well as his strong commitment to student success that will help shape the educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students at the college.”
Prior to coming to Penn State, Bardzell had been an instructor at Indiana University since 2004, with two visiting associate professor appointments at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark, in 2015 and at Shih Chien University in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2016. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in English from Mary Washington College, and master’s and doctoral degrees in comparative literature, both from Indiana University.