INFO Directory

Claire O’Connor

BIO

Claire O’Connor is a Ph.D. student in the College of Information at the University of Maryland, co-advised by Dr. Stephanie Valencia and Dr. Jonathan Lazar. She is a member of the AActelier Lab within the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL). Her research focuses on Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) and accessibility, with an emphasis on designing with individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). In particular, she studies how AI-mediated communication can support meaningful relationships for individuals with ID, and how individuals with ID and their close communication partners use AI-mediated tools to independently establish common ground.

Prior to her Ph.D., she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Sacred Heart University and a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Monmouth University. Claire is currently a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) and facilitates monthly parent support groups for parents of autistic AAC users.