Assistant Professor,
Child and Adolescent Development,
Lurie College of Education

Email: 

Preferred: [email protected]

Telephone

+1-408-924-3814

Teaching:

Upcoming Spring 2027

• Lifespan Development in a Global Context (ChAD 70, fully online)
• Lifespan Development in a Global Context (ChAD 70, hybrid, Tue 12-1:15 pm)
• Social Media and Youth (ChAD 156, in person, TTh 1:30 - 2:45 pm)

Current Fall 2026 

• Sustainable Futures for Children & Families in the AI Era (ChAD 196, in person, MW 1:30 - 2:45 pm)
• Lifespan Development in a Global Context (ChAD 70, fully online, 2 sections)

PAST

Spring 2026

• Social Media and Youth Civic Engagement (ChAD 156, in person, TTh 1:30 - 2:45 pm)
• Lifespan Development in a Global Context (ChAD 70, fully online, 2 Sections)

Fall 2025

• Lifespan Development in a Global Context (ChAD 70, fully online, two sections)
• Qualtiative Research Methods (EDD 502, synchronous online, T 4:30 - 8 pm)

Education

• Ph.D, Informatics, University of California, Irvine (2021)
• Ed.M, Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology, Harvard University (2014)
• B. Engg, Computer Science and Engineering, Bangalore University (2000)

Bio

I study how sociotechnical systems shape young people’s development, with a particular focus on digital play, virtual environments, and emerging technologies during early adolescence. My research asks how young people’s experiences in these environments are shaped by the interplay of technological affordances, social interactions, community practices, and the adults and institutions around them—and how technologies and digital environments might be designed to better support positive development.

I integrate perspectives from developmental science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and the learning sciences. Methodologically, I draw on qualitative and mixed methods, design-based research, and participatory approaches to understand young people’s experiences and translate developmental knowledge into the design of technologies and environments that support them.

Community-engaged research and research–practice partnerships with youth-serving organizations and communities are central to my work. I aim to advance both our understanding of young people’s development in an increasingly networked world and the design of emerging technologies and digital environments that better support their social, emotional, and developmental needs, especially during early adolescence.

Links

www.linkedin.com/in/krithikajagannath