🧪 Research Assistant @ NYU
When I joined the Videoconferencing Conversational and Interpersonal Interaction study, I stepped into the world of experimental research on how technology shapes human connection. Our focus was to understand how different videoconferencing conditions—like signal delay, jitter, and quality degradation—affect the flow of conversation and interpersonal dynamics.
🎯 Mission
The study aimed to evaluate how these non-optimal settings make dialogue more challenging, and how findings could be applied to design better video platforms that foster social cohesion and mental well-being.
🔧 What I Did
🖥️ 1. Experiment Setup & Execution
- Configured experimental environments to simulate varying network conditions.
- Coordinated session schedules and participant logistics for smooth study execution.
📊 2. Data Collection & Organization
- Collected conversational interaction data under controlled conditions.
- Organized and logged datasets for later analysis by the research team.
⏱️ 3. Real-time Adjustments
- Assisted in monitoring experiments and adapting technical settings as needed.
- Ensured consistency and reliability of data across sessions.
💡 Key Takeaways
This role showed me how seemingly small technical disruptions, like a second of lag or a blurry screen, can reshape the rhythm of conversation. It deepened my understanding of the link between human communication and technology design, and the importance of careful experimentation in informing platform improvements.