Hamida Khatri
Ph.D. Candidate
Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
The University of Texas at Dallas
- Why did you apply to HASTAC?
I decided to apply to the HASTAC Scholars program because of my deep commitment to innovating at the nexus of digital technology, the arts, and the humanities. The program’s reputation as a dynamic community of scholars who are pioneers in their fields and are committed to interdisciplinary collaboration greatly motivates me.
Throughout my academic and professional journey, my passion has been exploring the intersection of digital methodologies and the humanities to enrich research, education, and public engagement. This journey has included several inspiring projects that align closely with the HASTAC Scholars program’s ethos of rethinking academia in the digital age. Notably, I have developed a mobile application designed to provide a safe space for individuals to anonymously share their stories of abuse and trauma. My commitment to leveraging technology for social justice extends to my work on The Sunshine Project, a digital platform dedicated to supporting battered men. Additionally, I have spearheaded the Teardrop project, a creative initiative focused on shedding light on emotional struggles of battered women, and Project Kali, which celebrates womanhood and empowerment. These projects, among others showcased on my portfolio, reflect my commitment to utilizing digital tools to foster a more just and empathetic society.
The emphasis of the HASTAC Scholars program on student leadership and public scholarship resonates deeply with my conviction in the importance of demystifying scholarly research to make it meaningful and accessible to a broader audience. Currently, I am deeply involved in VR Catalyst, a project with a long-term commitment to utilizing digital and emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)—alongside data storytelling and analytics to vividly bring to light stories of abuse and trauma. This endeavor not only reflects my dedication to blending innovative technology with human empathy but also represents a unique opportunity to enrich the HASTAC community.
By sharing my journey through VR Catalyst, including the completion of significant milestones, I aim to contribute a blueprint for turning ambitious digital humanities projects into reality. My experiences in navigating the challenges and breakthroughs of integrating AI, VR, and data storytelling can offer valuable insights and methodologies to fellow scholars and practitioners. In leveraging HASTAC’s resources, I anticipate not just advancing my own projects but also providing the community with practical guidance on employing digital tools to enhance public scholarship and dialogue. This symbiotic exchange will not only foster my growth but also empower others to leverage technology in their quest to make scholarly research more engaging and impactful.
- What has been your favorite course so far as an instructor or student? Why?
My favorite course as a student has been the “Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Business Applications,” offered by The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, which I completed in March 2024. This program provided me with a comprehensive foundation in statistical learning, introducing me to AI, ML, and Data Science. I delved into linear regression, exploring its applications, advantages, and limitations, as well as multiple linear regression and how to handle categorical variables within regression models. The course emphasized the importance of evaluating regression models through RMSE, MAE, and R-squared values and included hands-on experience with linear regression. Further, it covered logistic regression, including setting thresholds in logistic regression models and evaluating these models using various techniques such as confusion matrices, accuracy, precision, recall, and ROC curves, again with practical hands-on sessions.
This certification has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for my dissertation, where I plan to leverage a large language model (LLM) to develop a virtual reality (VR) therapy platform aimed at supporting victims and survivors of gender-based violence. The knowledge and skills I gained from this course are directly contributing to my ability to undertake this significant project.
- What do you want to do after you graduate?
After I graduate, my goal is to run my non-profit organization, VR Catalyst, which leverages virtual reality (VR) and biosensing technology to provide personalized therapy to victims and survivors of gender-based violence. I aim to establish and deepen connections with community service organizations to broaden the support network for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. Through VR Catalyst, I envision creating a more accessible and effective support system that addresses the unique needs of individuals recovering from such experiences, enhancing their healing journey with innovative technology.
- What’s something that people would be surprised to know about you?
One aspect that often surprises people about me is not just the diversity of my educational background, with five degrees spanning from business administration to sculpture and photography, community arts, information systems engineering and management, and now delving into arts, technology, and emerging communication for my Ph.D., as well as embarking on a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. It is more about how I manage to juggle all these commitments and integrate such varied fields of knowledge into a coherent path of exploration and contribution.
The secret to managing my time and commitments lies in meticulous planning and an unwavering curiosity. I rely heavily on a set planner for jotting down daily tasks and deadlines, alongside using Google Calendar, which is synced with all my work and school emails. This systematic approach ensures I stay on top of my commitments and submissions across various opportunities.
My curiosity drives me to dive deep into new topics or fields that pique my interest, such as Neuromorphic Computing. Whenever I encounter a new term, concept, or field that sounds exciting, I immerse myself in researching it, often finding ways to connect these newfound insights with my work. This approach stems from my belief that every interaction with new knowledge is an opportunity to enrich myself and better justify my endeavors.
Moreover, I believe in the power of interdisciplinary integration. My educational and professional journey is a testament to the belief that merging knowledge from different disciplines can lead to unprecedented innovation and impact. It is this positive attitude towards learning and integrating diverse fields that often surprises people when they get to know me. My journey illustrates not just a quest for personal growth but a commitment to doing something novel, leveraging a broad spectrum of knowledge to make meaningful contributions across various domains.
- What are some things that you wish you had known before you got into graduate school?
In hindsight, before starting graduate school, I wish I had been more aware of the plethora of opportunities available for deepening one’s learning and the importance of finding the right mentors. Particularly in my current program, securing mentors who possess the specific expertise I seek to develop my dissertation project has been challenging due to a limited number of faculty members with the necessary knowledge base. As a result, I have come to heavily rely on external platforms such as HASTAC, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). These resources have been invaluable for advancing the work I am passionate about and for pushing beyond my comfort zone to achieve my educational and professional objectives.
- How do you envision HASTAC and higher education in 10 years? Where do you fit in?
In ten years, I envision HASTAC as a leading catalyst for change in higher education, increasingly influential in shaping how interdisciplinary research is conducted and disseminated. I see it expanding its digital frontiers, fostering even more collaborative projects that bridge the gap between technology and the humanities. With the rapid evolution of technology, HASTAC will likely be at the forefront of integrating new tools like AI, VR, and data analytics into educational curricula and research methodologies.
Higher education itself will likely become more fluid and adaptable, offering personalized learning paths and leveraging technology to meet the needs of a diverse global student body. Universities will become not just centers of knowledge but hubs of innovation, directly connected to societal needs and global challenges.
As for where I fit in, I see myself as an active member of this vibrant community, contributing to its growth through my interdisciplinary research and educational practices. By then, I will have completed my Ph.D. and additional Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, using my expertise to further the integration of mental health awareness and support within academic environments. My work with virtual reality (VR) and biosensing technology for therapy could serve as a model for how technological advancements can be applied in therapeutic and educational settings.
I also aim to be a mentor and leader within HASTAC and the wider academic community, advocating for the values of equity and inclusion in higher education, and pushing the boundaries of how we use technology to solve complex human issues. Through this, I hope to inspire and enable the next generation of scholars to envision a more connected and technologically integrated academic world.
- How does digital scholarship fit into your research or teaching?
Digital scholarship is integral to my approach in both research and teaching, driven by the aim to transcend traditional methods of support and engagement. In my research, especially concerning gender-based violence and therapeutic interventions, the use of digital tools—such as data analytics, machine learning (ML), and virtual reality (VR)—enables me to create experiences that are not just innovative but profoundly more engaging and healing than conventional methods could offer. This commitment to exploring and connecting through new technologies is rooted in my belief that we, as humans, are constantly seeking novel ways to understand and interact with the world around us. By utilizing advanced digital tools and methodologies, I am able to offer experiences that significantly enhance both healing and learning processes. These technologies have the unique advantage of creating deeply immersive environments, which can foster a stronger connection and engagement than traditional methods. For instance, VR can simulate real-life scenarios in a controlled setting, enabling individuals to confront and work through their experiences in a safe space. ML, on the other hand, allows for the analysis of complex data sets to identify patterns and insights that can inform more personalized and effective therapeutic interventions. Similarly, data analytics facilitate a nuanced understanding of behavioral and social dynamics, contributing to the development of targeted educational programs. Together, these digital approaches not only improve outcomes but also make the process more engaging and tailored to individual needs, marking a substantial advancement over conventional strategies.
For every project I undertake, I adopt a hands-on methodology, initially experimenting with these technologies myself. This personal experimentation serves as a crucial preliminary step, allowing me to refine and adapt the technology to ensure its effectiveness and relevance before introducing it to a broader audience. This process underscores my dedication to not just leveraging technology for technology’s sake but ensuring that it genuinely enhances the therapeutic and educational experience for individuals.
In the classroom, this philosophy translates into a curriculum that emphasizes the practical application of digital tools in research and collaboration. By doing so, I not only aim to enhance students’ technical skills but also to foster an appreciation for interdisciplinary methods in addressing complex societal issues. The specific advantages of integrating digital scholarship into teaching and research are manifold; it not only prepares students for a future where digital fluency is indispensable but also enables a more accessible, interactive, and impactful dissemination of scholarly work. Through the use of digital platforms and resources, I advocate for open access to academic findings, aligning with my dedication to public scholarship and community engagement. This approach underscores the transformative potential of digital scholarship in creating connections and insights that traditional methods alone cannot achieve.
- What do you hope to accomplish with your research or teaching?
With my research, I aim to develop and implement innovative digital tools—like virtual reality (VR) and biosensing technology—to provide personalized therapeutic support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. My goal is to create accessible, effective treatment modalities that can be adapted to individual needs, helping to foster resilience and healing. By bridging the gap between technology and therapy, I hope to pioneer methods that can be integrated into broader mental health practices.
In terms of teaching, my objective is to inspire and empower students to harness the potential of digital technologies in their academic and professional endeavors. I strive to nurture critical thinking, creativity, and a strong ethical framework for the use of technology in society. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment, I hope to guide students in conducting meaningful research that contributes to social justice and equity. Ultimately, through both my research and teaching, I seek to make a tangible impact on individual lives and society as a whole, advocating for the use of technology as a force for good in addressing complex human issues.
- What are you currently reading, watching, or listening to?
I am currently reading “Hyper-Reality: The Art of Designing Impossible Experiences” by Curtis Hickman. This book delves into the 52 laws of hyper-reality design and covers a wide range of intriguing topics such as experiential story building, active subjective story affordances, and the fundamentals of creating magical experiences. It also explores fascinating concepts like Euclid’s playground, time manipulation, dual reality, as well as the nuances of illusion and vanishment. It is a rich source of inspiration and knowledge for my work and interests in virtual reality and experiential design.
- Follow my work:
Further details about my work are available on my personal website: https://www.hamidakhatri.com/