Faculty

Eszter Hargittai Delaney Family Professor Department of Communication Studies Faculty Associate, Institute for Policy Research Northwestern University & Fellow Berkman Center for Internet & Society Harvard University

Graduate Students

Ashley Marie Walker (2015 - Present) Ashley is a PhD student in the Media, Technology, and Society program at Northwestern. Her research interests include privacy behaviors online, collaborative work in online environments, and digital inequality.

Erin Flynn Klawitter (2011 - Present) Erin is a Ph.D. student in the Media, Technology, and Society program at Northwestern University. Her research interests include digital inequality and the performance of identity online.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Richard Herndon (2013 - Present) Richard is a senior pursuing dual degrees in Radio/Television/Film in the School of Communication and Computer Science in McCormick. At NU, he spends his time with RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) and working on student film sets.

Jordana Graifman (2014 - Present) Jordana is a third-year in the Northwestern School of Communication, majoring in communication studies. Other than the Web Use Project, she is involved in student theater, helping out with the writing and marketing for Waa-Mu, the school's student written and produced musical.

Kaitlin Jennrich (2014 - Present) Kaitlin is a Junior in the School of Communication, majoring in Communication Studies. On campus, she is involved in Northwestern University Dance Marathon, Alternative Student Breaks, and Wildside, as well as working as a tour guide. In her spare time, she likes to craft and watch football.

Becca Smith (2015 - Present) Becca is a Junior from Dallas, TX, majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Spanish. She is involved in Dance Marathon, Sustained Dialogue, and is a Resident Assistant in Bobb-McCulloch Hall. Outside of school, she enjoys running, having coffee dates, and “Pinteresting”.

Cierra Levy (2015 - Present) Cierra is a Junior in the School of Communication majoring in Communication Studies, with a double minor in Anthropology and Korean. Outside of working in the Web Use Project, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Cierra conducts free home bible studies with people within the Evanston community, occasionally tutors elementary school students, and puts on variety shows at events in the area, including her former high school. In her spare time she loves traveling and watching Korean dramas. She aspires to apply what she learns through Communication Studies to the world of hospitality.

Robert Babich (2016 - Present) Robert is a first-year student in the School of Communication pursuing a double major in Communications Studies and Economics. At Northwestern, he is engaged in fundraising for NU Dance Marathon (NUDM), producing short videos with Northwestern Sketch TV (NSTV), and managing an online textbook exchange. He is interested in organizational communication and networking with mentors. In his free time, Robert enjoys cooking and reading.

Sam Mandlsohn (2016 - Present) Sam is a sophomore majoring in Communication Studies with the Digital Media module, focusing on technology, the Web, and digital communication. He is also pursuing a Medill Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. In his spare time, Sam likes to play guitar and is involved in creating Dillo Day, the country’s largest student-run music festival. Find him on Twitter @Mandlsohn.

Former Affiliates

Former Staff

Devon Moore Lab Manager, 2014 A graduate of Princeton University, Devon earned her Master’s degree in Higher Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Outside of the lab, Devon spends almost all of her time cheering for the Chicago Cubs.

Daniel Hantman Research Associate, 2007 - 2008 After his time at the Web Use Project, Daniel went to work as the Center Administrator at the Chicago Center for Jewish Studies. Daniel is now an Associate at Much Shelist after receiving his JD at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Eva Bognar Research Associate, 2007 Eva began working as a coordinator and researcher at the Center for Media and Communication Studies at Central European University after her time at the Web Use Project.

Waleeta Canon Project Coordinator, 2006 - 2007 After her time at the Web Use Project, Waleeta went on to work as a market research analyst at Leonie Industries, a social science analyst for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, an education project director at DePaul University, and a freelance marketing consultant.

Laurell Sims Project Coordinator, 2006 Laurell began working as the Production and Marketing Manager for Growing Power after her time at the Web Use Project.

Former Graduate Students

Eden Litt (2010 - 2015) Eden defended her Ph.D. in Media, Technology, and Society at Northwestern University in 2015. She studies the intersection of online skill, social media, and social inequality. She is now a UX Researcher at Facebook.

Giulia Ranzini (2013 - 2014) Giulia was a visiting scholar in the Web Use Project and a Ph.D. candidate within the Institute for Media and Communication Management (MCM) of the University of St Gallen, Switzerland. She defended her dissertation in 2014. Her research interests include the digital identities of individuals, focusing on self-presentation techniques and on their offline consequences. She is now Assistant Professor in the Department for Communication Science at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam.

Noah Liebman (2012 - 2013) Noah is a Ph.D. student in the Technology & Social Behavior program at Northwestern University. His research interests include social norms in mediated communication, the role of design in influencing social behavior, and the individual and collective implications of communication technology.

Kristin Thomas (2007 - 2011)

Yu-li Patrick Hsieh (2008 - 2011) Patrick defended his Ph. D. in Media, Technology and Society at Northwestern University in 2014. His research interests include the influences of information technology on social engagement, as well as its effects on social, psychological, and economic well-being.

Heather Young (2009 - 2011) Heather started at the Web Use Project as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in 2007 and was subsequently promoted to Lab Manager. After graduating with a B.S. in Radio/Television/Film in 2008, Heather became a graduate student in the Media, Technology, and Society program in the Department of Communication Studies at Northwestern University.

Cassidy Puckett (2009 - 2010) Cassidy earned a Ph. D. in Sociology at Northwestern University in 2015. Her research interests include methodological issues related to the study of digital inequality (i.e., construct and measurement validity), individual and social determinants of technological competency, and the effects of technological competency on social inequality.

Gina Walejko (2005 - 2010) Gina was the lead graduate research assistant on the MacArthur-funded Adolescents’ Internet Uses project. She used mixed methods to research how diverse populations of individuals use new media, including how college students use the Web.

Ericka Menchen Trevino 2008 - 2009 Lab Manager, 2008 - 2009 Ericka earned a Ph.D. from the School of Communication at Northwestern University in the Media Technology and Society program. Her research interests include information seeking on the web, and the online news environment.

Chris Karr 2006 - 2009

Jason Gallo 2004 - 2008 Project Coordinator, 2007 - 2008 Jason earned a PhD from the Media, Technology, and Society Program at Northwestern University in the summer of 2008. He then began working at the Science and Technology Policy Institute in Washington, DC.

Nicole Joseph 2008

Lindsay Fullerton 2007 - 2008 Lindsay earned her Ph.D. from the Media, Technology and Society program at Northwestern University.

Soo Jeong An 2006 - 2007

Dan Li 2005 - 2007

Amanda Hinnant 2003 - 2006 Amanda received her Ph.D. in Media, Technology and Society from Northwestern University in 2006 and went on to be an Associate Professor at the Missouri School of Journalism.

Sean Zehnder 2004 – 2005

Alyse Hubbard Muldoon 2001 while a graduate student at Princeton University Alyse now resides in Brisbane, Australia.

Nicole Esparza 2001 while a graduate student at Princeton University Nicole received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Princeton University in 2007 and then spent two years as a Robert Wood Johnson Scholar at Harvard University. She went on to be an Assistant Professor at the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California.

Undergraduate Students

Karina Sirota (2014 - 2015) Karina is double majoring in Communication Studies and Computer Science, as well as getting a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. Outside of working in the Web Use Project, she is a One Book, One Northwestern ambassador, as well as a member of Women in Computing. Karina aspires to work where marketing and technology meet. Follow her on Twitter @Karina_Sirota.

Nick Prose (2014 - 2015) Nick is majoring in Communication Studies with minors in Psychology and the Business Institutions Program (BIP). In addition to the Web Use Project, he spends his time on campus as a Peer Adviser, member of his fraternity, and part of the club swim team. In his spare time, Nick loves eating virtually everything, spending time with friends, and running.

Sombreuil Hubbard (Summer 2014) Sombreuil is a student in the School of Communication, majoring in Communication Studies with the Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) certificate. Outside of the Web Use Project, she indulges in her love of food on Spoon Magazine's marketing/PR team. She allows herself the joy of eating and exploring the Chicago food scene by dancing year-round in Fusion Dance Company. Her work at WUP will hopefully become an asset as she pursues a career in PR in the design/lifestyle industries.

Elizabeth Hensley (Summer 2014) Elizabeth is a McNair Scholar and Junior at California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), majoring in Human Communication with a concentration in Journalism/Media Studies. She recently became Editor in Chief of the Otter Realm, CSUMB’s student-run newspaper. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys touring Northwestern’s Evanston campus, and watching documentaries on Netflix.

Theanne Liu (2013 - 2014) Theanne double majored in Communication Studies and Political Science with an interest in a career in law. On campus, she served on the executive board for the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), College Feminists, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. In her spare time, she draws, plays flute, and excessively goes on the internet.

Rebecca Schieber (2012 - 2013) Rebecca majored in Political Science in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and is interested in pursuing a career in law. On campus, she was involved with Alternative Student Breaks and the Women's Ultimate Frisbee team. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Madison Ginsberg (2012 - 2013) Madison majored in Radio/Television/Film in the School of Communication. In her free time, she produced student films, worked on public relations for Northwestern University Women's Film Alliance (NUWFA) and Northwestern Sketch Television (NSTV), and did tech work at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.

Lizzie Friedman (2012 - 2013) Lizzie double majored in English and Sociology and minored in Film and Media Studies in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Lizzie does not like writing about herself in third person, but does like watching 30 Rock, making smoothies, and doing amateur photography.

Justin Hatfield (2012 - 2013) Justin majored in Economics, minored in Environmental Policy and Culture, and worked towards the Integrated Marketing Communications Certificate. On campus, he was involved in the Communications Residential College (CRC) as the social chair and environmental chair. Justin received the Fellow Assistant Research Award (FARA) through CRC for the 2012-2013 school year.

Jenna Lebersfeld (2009 - 2012) Jenna graduated from the School of Communication and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University in 2012. She double majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology and went on to pursue a career conducting research related to autism.

Margaret Baglien (2012) Margaret, or "Meg", majored in Communication Studies and minored in International Studies. She is a member of Delta Delta Delta on campus and held the position of New Member Educator.

Andrea Carney (2012) Andrea majored in Communication Studies, minored in Business Institutions, and received the Integrated Marketing Communications certificate from Medill. She was Member Development chair of Delta Delta Delta sorority, a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, and a board member of the Kaibigan Filipino cultural club on campus.

Madison Berry (2011 - 2012) Madison studied Radio/TV/Film in the School of Communications, and she is interested in pursuing a career in television production. She received the Fellow Assistant Researcher Award (FARA) through the Communications Residential College for the 2011-2012 school year.

Jennifer Suh (2011 - 2012) Jennifer majored in Communication Studies and minored in Business Institutions. On campus, she worked as a staff writer for the Daily Northwestern.

Veronica Nieves (2011 - 2012) Veronica majored in Communication Studies and minored in Sociology. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega on campus and held a position on the Exec Board as VP Education.

Kristin Kim (2011 - 2012) Kristin majored in Communication Studies and minored in the Business Institutions Program and Sociology. Her research interests include online social networks, influences of information technology on interpersonal interactions, and macro-level phenomena of digital media consumption by audiences.

Matt Baron (2011) Matt double majored in Communication Studies and International Studies and minoring in Business Institutions. His research interests include social networks within virtual and offline worlds, human-computer interactions, and political communications.

A. George Bajalia (2010 - 2011) George graduated from the School of Communication, majoring in Communication Studies and Mediterranean Culture and History. When not studying Mediterranean communicants, he can be found in the theatre, as an actor and director.

Stefanie Goliszewski (2010 - 2011) Stefanie graduated from the School of Communication, majoring in Communication Studies, minoring in Business Institutions, and pursuing a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Julie Kliegman (2010 - 2011) Julie double majored in Journalism and Spanish. She received the Fellow Assistant Researcher Award for the 2010-2011 school year through the Communications Residential College.

Cassi Saari Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 - 2010 Lab Manager, 2009 - 2010 Cassi graduated in Environmental Sciences with a particular interest in conservation biology and natural resource management. She received the Fellow Assistant Researcher Award through the Communications Residential College for the 2008-2009 school year.

Olivia Curry Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 - 2010 Olivia graduated in 2012 from the School of Communication. She majored in Radio/TV/Film. She received the Fellow Assistant Researcher Award for the 2009-2010 school year through the Communications Residential College.

Katy Witmer Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 & 2010 Katy is a graduate who majored in Radio/Television/Film. Katy is a graduate who majored in Radio/Television/Film.

Andrew Glor Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 - 2010 Andrew Glor graduated in 2010 from the School of Communication, majoring in Radio/TV/Film and Political Science.

Kat Wong Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 - 2010 Kat graduated in 2011 with a degree in Communication Studies and minoring in Psychology.

Ashley Hudson Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 - 2010 Ashley graduated in 2011 double majoring in Journalism and Psychology. She received the Fellow Assistant Researcher Award (FARA) through the Communications Residential College for the 2007-2008 school year.

Yoon Hyung Choi Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 - 2010 Yoon graduated in 2010 from the School of Communication with a major in Communication Studies with a Business Institutions Program minor.

Simon Han Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 Simon graduated in 2011, majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Creative Writing.

Emily Hoffman Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 Emily graduated in 2010 from the School of Communication with a major in in Communication Studies and minor in English Literature.

Stephen Segura Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2009 Stephen graduated in 2011, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Computer Science at Princeton University.

Jessica Diamond Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 - 2009 Jessica graduated from Northwestern University School of Communication in 2009 with a double major in Communication Studies and English.

Jason Bornstein Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 - 2009 Jason graduated from Northwestern in 2009 with a major in communication studies and a minor in business institutions. His thesis was on the "Impact of Google on Information-Seeking Procceses."

Meggie Gallina Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 - 2009 Meggie graduated with a major in Communication Studies.

Glen Hajost Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 Glen graduated from Northwestern in 2010 with a double major in Social Policy and Economics.

Amanda Yentz Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 Amanda graduated in 2009 with a major in Communication Studies.

Katherine Murphy Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 Katherine graduated from Northwestern in 2009 with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Business Institutions.

Heather Young Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 Lab Manager, 2008 Heather received her Ph.D. from the Media, Technology and Society Program at Northwestern University. Formerly: Research Assistant at Mark Paul Consulting, 2008-09

Ashley Ayarza Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 - 2008 Ashley graduated from Northwestern in 2009 with a double major in Radio/Television/Film and Art History.

Sydney Weiss Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 - 2008 After graduating, Sydney went on to work for Targeted Entertainment Marketing and Promotions at 42West.

Alex Knell Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 - 2008 Alex studied Interdisciplinary Studies in Film and Theater and English Creative Writing at Northwestern University.

Kati Skelton Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 Kati graduated from Northwestern, where she studied comparative literary studies and Spanish.

Adam Price Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 Adam graduated from Northwestern in 2008, majoring in Radio/Television/Film.

David Gonzales Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008

Jon Mindrum Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2008 After graduating, Jon went on to be a Management Consulting intern at Accenture.

Kathrina Manalac Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2004 - 2007 Fellow Assistant Research Award, 2004 - 2005 After graduating, Kathrina went on to be an Associate Promotion Manager at Conde Nast Publications.

Vanessa Pineda Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2005 - 2008 Fellow Assistant Researcher Award (FARA), 2005 - 2006 After graduating, Vanessa went on to be a Communications Associate at Towers Perrin.

Becky Freking Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2006 - 2007 Fellow Assistant Researcher Award, 2006 - 2007 After graduating, Becky went on to be the Director of Speaking Services at Floyd Consulting.

Viktor Domazet Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 After graduating, Viktor went on to be an options trader with the Toji Trading Group in Chicago.

David Spett Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2007 David went on to work for the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC after graduating.

Priscilla Vasquez Summer IPR Research Assistant, 2006 After her time at WebUse, Priscilla became a Research Assistant at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute.

Ellen Duncan Undergraduate Research Assistant at Princeton, 2006 Ellen was a graduate student at Columbia University.

Matthew Kane Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2005 Matthew was a student at Columbia University Law.

Jason Methner Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2004 Jason received his Masters Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication at Northwestern.

Max Reback Undergraduate Research Assistant at Princeton (‘04) Max was a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

Olivia Starr Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2003 - 2004 Olivia was a graduate student at LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Inna Barmash Undergraduate Research Assistant at Princeton (‘01) Inna went on to be a Corporate Department Associate at Ropes & Gray.

Others

Tabbey Walquist IMSA Student Inquiry and Research Affiliate, 2007 - 2008