Get to know the iSchool’s ten new PhD students! They will be featured throughout the Fall 2021 semester.
Tallal AhmadAreas of Interest: Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Centered Design, Computer Supported Collaborative Works, Information & Communication Technologies for Development
Advisor: Corey Jackson
Where are you from?
Lahore, Pakistan
How did you become interested in the field of information?
Studying information science is both a consequence of personal experience and a passion for research developed over the years. When I graduated, my knowledge of computer science was limited to programming. However, exposure to research and development made me realize that information science can enable users to achieve their potential or enhance their capacity to make a positive change in their and others’ lives.
How does the iSchool compliment your research area/interests?
Through experience and observation, I have come to the conclusion that the design of inclusive technologies requires an understanding of the relationship between information technology and its users. As a researcher in my limited yet enriching experiences have taught me the importance of various factions at their very basic level; only then innovation and sustainable solutions for problems come to the fore. UW-Madison iSchool is at the forefront of this movement with faculty members from various disciplines coming together for research and it is an indication of an even bigger, inclusive, and diverse community.
What are you excited to explore in Madison?
I’m excited to explore hiking trails around Madison.
What’s one thing you wish you’d known before applying to Ph.D. programs?
It’s not as bad as Ph.D. blogs tell you.