Brewer receives 2024 Henry Russel Award

University of Michigan School of Information assistant professor Robin Brewer received a 2024 Henry Russel award at the July Board of Regents meeting. The award recognizes U-M faculty members who have demonstrated an extraordinary record of accomplishment in scholarly research and/or creativity, as well as an excellent record of contributions as teachers.

“I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award, which holds the distinction of being one of the oldest at the university,” Brewer says. “It serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable support and mentorship I have been fortunate to receive throughout my academic journey thus far. I also could not have made such contributions without collaborations from students, faculty collaborators and research participants.”

Brewer joined UMSI in 2017 as a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow. Since then, she’s been conducting research on designing voice technologies for older adults and their caregivers, disability representation in language learning models and privacy concerns of disabled people when using AI-powered assistive technologies.

Her scholarship has earned numerous awards and fellowships, including a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, a 2023 Anita Borg Early Career Award from the Computer Researching Association and a UMSI faculty award for excellence in community-engaged research, outstanding service and instruction. She is a co-leader for the AHA (accessibility, HCI and aging) group.

Last year, Popular Science named Brewer as one of 10 scientists “on the cusp of changing the world.” Brewer’s award announcement from the Board of Regents celebrates Brewer’s “accomplishments as an exceptional researcher, teacher, and mentor” and highlighted her user-driven research and design.

“Her findings contribute a nuanced discussion to the computing and accessibility communities about age-related ethical and privacy concerns related to interactions with technology and have resulted in design recommendations as well as community impact,” her nomination states. “For example, she developed xPress, an asynchronous tele-community that allows people without computer access or who face challenges using traditional computing devices (screens, mice, keyboards) the opportunity to blog using a landline or non-smartphone.”

Brewer was also recognized for her commitment to inclusivity in her teaching and service to the human-computer interaction community. As diversity co-chair for the organizing committee for the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI), Brewer fundraised to support a scholarship program for minority students and organized a virtual mentorship program for students of color. Through grassroots efforts, she reinvigorated the CHI Mentoring (or CHIMe) workshop, which provided mentorship to 75 historically underrepresented students through the workshop during her two-year appointment. She also actively co-organizes virtual writing groups and retreats for Black women in computing around the country.

“Brewer’s work aims to shift design paradigms to better represent and serve the needs of aging and disabled individuals and her approach to research, teaching and mentorship have enriched not only UMSI, but the university and our broader communities,” Dean Forte says. “Her dedication to advancing inclusive technologies and her commitment to education continue to inspire.”