Directory

Maria Isabel (Marisa) Magaña

BIO

I am a Colombian Fulbright Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland’s Information School, working at the NSF Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS). My research focuses on ensuring that generative technologies are adopted in ways that center justice and human rights, particularly in Latin America and the Global South. I use mixed-methods approaches to examine the sociotechnical impact of AI and develop frameworks for participatory, trustworthy design.

With experience living and working in Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and the U.S., I bring a global, context-aware perspective to my work. Prior to my Ph.D., I was a data-driven investigative journalist and Assistant Professor at Universidad de La Sabana. I’ve advised Colombian public institutions on data strategy, founded the award-winning transparency platform QueremosDatos.co, and contributed to international projects shortlisted for the European Press Prize and Data Journalism Awards.