Social Computing
By analyzing natural social interactions and applying behavioral theories, social computing researchers have identified what makes online social interaction and communities successful and how to build better collaborative digital user experiences.
HCII faculty for decades have been leaders in research on computer-supported cooperative work, computer-mediated communication, the analysis and design of online communities, and investigating the social impacts technology has on society.
Today, social computing platforms and tools are a part of everyday life for many. For example, Wikis enable users to collaboratively edit content and share knowledge; industry-specific platforms offer community and collaboration (eg. GitHub for developers); platform-based workers (eg. ridesharing, freelancing, or crowdsourcing) find work and community online; and social networking platforms provide online space for community groups and real-time communication.
Students who want to learn more about social computing might be interested in the following HCII courses: