Getting Help

The class staff are very committed to your learning. We’re here to help you, and we offer the following resources to support you:

  • For administrative questions (e.g., regarding due dates, or interpreting assignment instructions); for technical questions about programming or the technology stack; for questions about ideas taught in lecture or broader questions about visualization, data analysis, and design: post publicly in the appropriate channel of the class Slack. This ensures that our answer will benefit the entire class!

  • For help when you’re feeling confused on data analysis, visualization design, or programming issues, can’t formulate a question, or would like advice about your work: go to office hours (schedule posted below). Please do not email the TAs individually to ask for help.

  • For a personal issue about grading, attendance, or team issues: send an email to the staff mailing list, vis-society-staff@mit.edu

  • For a private problem or for friendly live advice: email the lecturers—we’d be delighted to chat with you!

Office Hours

Office Hours usually take place at the following times:

  • Tuesday: 4-6pm (E18-426 for February 3rd; Permanent location TBD)
  • Wednesday: 2:30-4:30pm (Location TBD)

Please make sure to check the calendar below for any changes!

Course Staff

Instructors

Headshot of Prof. Arvind Satyanarayan

Arvind Satyanarayan

Hi folks, I’m Arvind (he/him) and a faculty member in computer science. I lead the MIT Visualization Group where we study various aspects of data visualization including developing new tools for authoring visualizations, applying visualization to interpret machine learning models, and studying how to make visualizations accessible to blind and low vision people. I’m excited for our semester together because Catherine, Crystal, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about how to integrate our classes together so that you both learn core ideas of effective visualization, and then get to apply them in the context of a timely and important real-world issue with social impact. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all — please don’t be a stranger! And, feel free to reach out if you’d ever like to chat (about the class, or other things more generally)!

Headshot of Ashley Louie

Ashley Louie

Hi everyone, I’m Ashley (she/her)! I am a DUSP lecturer and a researcher at the Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism and the Civic Data Design Lab, where I lead research projects centered at the intersection of technology, data visualization, and communication design. With a background in architecture, urban design, and public interest technology (former CTO at BetaNYC), I’m excited to share my perspective on how to create and to contextualize data-driven narratives for social advocacy and impact. This is my first time co-teaching this course with Arvind, and I look forward to get to know you all this semster!

Teaching Assistants

Headshot of Ane Zuniga

Ane Zuniga

Hello! I’m Ane (she/her), a third-year PhD student at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department. My research focuses on developing scalable, reliable, and responsible AI. Before MIT, I earned my Bachelor’s degree at the University of the Basque Country in Spain. Outside the lab, I enjoy hiking, skiing, sailing on the Charles, and experimenting with new recipes at home.

Headshot of Kateryna Morhun

Kateryna Morhun

Hi! I’m Kateryna (she/her), an MEng student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. My current research involves developing data structures for contextual speeding detection on roads, but my other academic interests include pro-social social media design, tech policy, and more! Outside the classroom, you’ll find me ballroom dancing 💃, knitting/crocheting 🧶, and playing a variety of tabletop role-playing games 🎲. I’m excited to get to know you all and help you discover the power of storytelling with data visualization!

Photo of Nicola Lawford using a laptop

Nicola Lawford

Hi, I’m Nicola (she/her), and I’m completing my SM in Technology and Policy (TPP) and Computer Science. My current work is at the Internet Policy Research Initiative in CSAIL, where I’m working on data traceability protocols for consumer privacy. I’m interested in digital rights, surveillance, and free expression online. I have a BASc in Engineering Science majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University Toronto. I love slam poetry. Photo by Daniel Jackson

Photo of Audrey Wei

Audrey Wei

Hi! I’m Audrey (she/her), a junior undergraduate at MIT majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making (Course 6-4) and Mathematics (Course 18). My work spans machine learning applications in aerospace, material science, and generative systems for avatars. Outside of academics, I enjoy café-hopping, painting, and photography, and I’m always looking for new ways to blend technical work with creative expression.