University of Michigan School of Information assistant professor Julie Hui has earned a 2025 U-M Chinese Heritage and Scholarship Junior Faculty Award. 

The award celebrates emerging U-M scholars who demonstrate excellence in teaching, research and service who are either of Chinese heritage or dedicated to advancing understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, heritage and scholarship. 

Hui's work was celebrated at the Association of Chinese Professors (ACP) inaugural awards ceremony on February 23. She was recognized for her focus on bridging digital divides in resource-constrained populations. For example, her co-development of community-based interventions that support primarily Black and women owned microbusinesses in Detroit has helped them navigate barriers to digital engagement.

Hui was also honored for her development of Lettersmith, a digital tool that has helped more than 8,000 students navigate professional opportunities in the U.S. The tool has been particularly supportive of non-native English speakers and Chinese-speaking students applying to jobs and internships in the U.S. for the first time.

“I believe that technology, when designed inclusively and with attention to equity, has the power to transform lives,” Hui says. “I am committed to continuing this work in research, teaching, and service, and I look forward to the opportunity to further these goals at the University of Michigan.” 

Hui joined UMSI in 2018 as a postdoctoral fellow before joining the faculty as an assistant professor. Previously, she worked in the Social Innovations Group, collaborating with small business owners and community organizations in Detroit to develop accessible pathways to employment. She received her PhD at Northwestern University and her bachelor’s in physics from MIT.

Hui’s research broadly investigates how technology influences access to work and employment. She has published numerous papers on the impact of social media for aspiring entrepreneurs, how professionals of color navigate race and the gig economy. 

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Learn more about Julie Hui by visiting her UMSI faculty profile and her personal website.