Tawanna Dillahunt is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information and Director of the Master of Science in Information (MSI) program, which spans four interdisciplinary pathways: User Experience (UX) Research and Design, Big Data Analytics, Library, Archives, and Knowledge Environments (LAKES), and User-Centered Agile Development.
Her research sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI), public interest technology, and the responsible use of data-driven systems. She uses participatory design, community-based research, and mixed methods to examine how data-intensive technologies—such as AI and digital platforms—shape the lives and opportunities of people in structurally disadvantaged contexts. Specifically, she has focused on advancing economic mobility in historically underserved communities through interventions like the community tech workers and explored alternative economic models such as timebanks and cooperatives to expand employment opportunities and address challenges like the digital divide.