University of Michigan School of Information

Faculty interviews

Kishonna sitting in front of a video game, mid-laugh and holding a copy of her book, Woke Gaming. She is surrounded by red light.

How Kishonna Gray turned her passion for gaming into a tool for connection and social justice

11/21/2024

UMSI’s newest professor, Kishonna Gray, explores how gaming can reshape how we think about technology, community and inclusion. 

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A graphic with a headshot of Melissa Levine and the text "Industry Insights, Melissa Levine: UMSI lecturer, Director of Copyright Office, University of Michigan Library" and the UMSI logo

Industry Insights: Meet copyright expert and UMSI lecturer Melissa Levine

11/18/2024

In this Q&A, Levine shares how emerging technologies like generative AI are making copyright more complicated, and reveals why contracts are anything but boring. 

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Rebecca Frank wearing a maroon sweater, a neckplace and glasses and smiling at the camera.

Meet Rebecca Frank, UMSI’s newest assistant professor

11/14/2024

In her profile, Frank talks about trustworthiness, risk and the preservation of digital repositories. 

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A graphic of Natalie Fang with the text "Industry Insights, Natalie Fang, UMSI lecturer, Founder and CEO, Nochi"

Industry Insights: Meet video game entrepreneur and UMSI lecturer Natalie Fang

09/17/2024

In this Q&A, Fang discusses how UX methods can power the success of a startup and shares the inspiration behind her game-changing video game studio, Nochi. 

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A graphic with the text "Industry Insights," UMSI logo, a headshot of Bill Thompson, and the text "Bill Thompson, UMSI lecturer, director of automotive at Aquent, Former in-vehicle UX manager, General Motors"

Industry Insights: Meet auto UX leader and UMSI lecturer Bill Thompson

08/26/2024

In this Q&A, Thompson reveals what drives his passion for teaching and how he’s preparing UMSI students to lead the way in the rapidly evolving automotive industry. 

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Kristin Fontichiaro sitting cross-legged in colorful cubes at a library, wearing a green sweater and smiling.

From opera stage manager to superstar librarian: 4 questions with UMSI clinical professor Kristin Fontichiaro

02/19/2024

Fontichiaro shares her love of opera, her path to the field of information and how school and public libraries are changing in the midst of a growing parental rights movement in America. 

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Jeff Sheng stands in the north quad courtyard

Jeff Sheng talks about his love of photography, social movements and finding the “freedom to explore” different subjects

11/13/2023

Fusing his love of art, technology and a deep passion for learning, Jeff Sheng’s research explores the impact of the internet in underground social movements.

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Nicole Ellison in front of a tree on a hiking trail, wearing a blue and pink dress and smiling.

Nicole Ellison on social media, self-perception and her love of Ann Arbor

11/02/2023

Ellison’s research focuses on the impact of social media and technology on human perception, behavior and community.

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Megan Threats

Faculty Q&A: Megan Threats on communities and health justice

07/12/2023

Threats’ research focuses on empowering minoritized communities and helping them better access healthcare services.

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Michaelanne posing in graffiti alley in Ann Arbor, wearing jeans and a black shirt.

Michaelanne Thomas on social justice, online communities and what it means to cultivate a ‘sense of wonder’

04/20/2023

“I'm interested in questions of power, social inequalities and structural violence, and the ways people from underrepresented groups work together to make up for infrastructure gaps."

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