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: <!– - Monday: 2:45-4:45pm (24-310)

• Tuesday: 4-6pm (5-415)
• Wednesday: 10-11am 2:45-4:45pm (24-317) –>

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

Course Staff

Instructors

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)!

Crystal Lee

Hello everyone! I’m Crystal (she/her) and I’m a professor of computational media and design at the Schwarzman College of Computing and Comparative Media Studies / Writing. I think a lot about all things data, social media, and inequity – especially when it comes to disability – and I’m especially passionate about combining humanistic perspectives with computational specificity. I love writing about the history of computing and how we can use visualization to advance social good. I’m of course happy to talk through concepts in the readings, give feedback on work, etc – but above all, I am excited to get to know you, about your academic interests / questions or just the things that excite you! One of the joys of being at MIT is having conversations with folks who are really excited by ideas, so please don’t hesitate to have a chat. Outside of work, I go on hikes with my rambunctious dog Laika and enjoy crafty hobbies like crochet, sewing, and cooking. I can’t wait to see what we learn together when we work with the magic that is data visualization!

Teaching Assistants

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.