Emily Lovell: Postdoctoral Fellow

Department: Computer Science and Engineering

Undergraduate Institution: UC Santa Cruz, Computer Science, B.A.

Graduate Institutions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Media Arts and Sciences, M.S.; UC Santa Cruz, Computer Science, Ph.D.

Double UC Santa Cruz alumna Emily Lovell joined Baskin Engineering’s Computer Science and Engineering Department in 2022 as a postdoctoral fellow. Under the mentorship of James Davis, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Lovell focuses on open source software contribution and teaching open source as a way to support broader participation in computing. She was one of two recipients of the 2024 Graduate Division Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award, highlighting her important contributions to teaching and research.

Describe your current work as a postdoc.
My current work is focused on open source software contribution and teaching open source as a way to support broader participation in computing. I’ve been able to explore how to best support students, especially those from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

I’m part of the UCSC Open Source Program Office team and one of the most motivating aspects of this work is how community-based it is. Finding open source and working to make the field of computing more diverse helped me see how people can work together in a way that’s uplifting everyone, rather than competing or racing for results. While that approach can fuel incredible research, it wasn’t the right fit for me. It was encouraging to find a computing community where I did fit in. 

Finding a space where the mindset of inclusion was welcome has kept me in the field and made it possible for me to have an impact. Everything I’ve accomplished is thanks to the support of so many others, too. And this kind of work is never done; we are not yet at a place where Black, Latinx, or low income students – nor women – are equally represented in the field. My career has taken me where there’s a need at different moments in time, and I just try to find ways to help. 

Describe your journey to Baskin Engineering.
I first found computer science when I was a sophomore at UC Santa Cruz, while fulfilling a general education requirement. I went on to graduate with my bachelor’s in computer science but I was also interested in the arts, so I minored in music. I then pursued a master’s in media arts and sciences at the MIT Media Lab, graduating in 2011, and went on to start my Ph.D. at MIT. I came back to UCSC in 2013 to finish my Ph.D., and eventually graduated with my doctorate in computer science in 2021. I was hired into my postdoc by Carlos Maltzahn, a now retired adjunct professor, and I’m currently a little over 2 years into my postdoc. I hope to stick around afterwards as an adjunct faculty member.

When did you first become interested in computer science and specifically in education?
A lot of my work is driven by my personal experience. I found computer science late, and I think this was due to not having the same opportunities or exposure as some of my peers who came from more historically represented demographics. During my undergrad, there were far less women in engineering compared to now – especially in upper division courses. Luckily, I felt supported by my then (and eventual doctorate) advisor, James Davis. He empowered me to get involved with teaching as an undergrad and supported me in thinking about how curriculum can be more inclusive. I also found community and grew my interest in student leadership by participating in groups such as UCSC’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers.

I followed my interest in teaching during my early graduate studies at MIT, where my work centered on using unconventional tools such as craft materials — like conductive paint and thread — to bring more people from different backgrounds into computing. When I came back to UCSC for my Ph.D., I involved myself in the education department, splitting my coursework between computing and education. So, my interests in these areas started and expanded here at UCSC. 

What are a few highlights from your time at Baskin Engineering?
I’ve been piloting a new summer program called the Contributor Catalyst program, which invites HBCU students to learn about open source and contribute to an open source project. The program is modeled on my prior teaching and research and reflects a need identified by our HBCU faculty partner at Norfolk State University. The program has a hybrid model — participating students from Norfolk State University spend half the program living and learning at UCSC and the other half experiencing a collaborative remote-work environment.

The initial funding for the program came from Baskin Engineering and we are so grateful to have the support of Marcella Gomez, Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. After the first year of the program — and as a professional development exercise — I wrote a proposal for a $1 million National Science Foundation grant to grow the program. I did not expect to be considered, so I was completely shocked when we were awarded the grant! This funding will allow us to partner with five more HBCUs over the next three years, growing to a cohort size of over 20 students. 

I owe the success of the program to our HBCU faculty partner and to the original cohort of students who were willing to take the risk and participate. We’ve also had incredible UCSC campus partners critical to the program’s success — like the Office for African, Black, and Caribbean Student Success and our campus Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Graduate Studies, Lorato Anderson.

I’m also always learning from my students. They teach me about the latest memes, how to use TikTok, and cool programming tricks that I’ve never seen, even though I’ve probably been writing code since before many of them were born. 

Reflecting on your postdoc, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the Contributor Catalyst program because it’s really starting to become its own entity, and faster than expected. One student from last year’s program came back this year as an alumni mentor and plans to help me with upcoming conference proposals. Another student from last year has done a few podcast interviews about his experience and joined me at two conferences — he was even a speaker at one of them. Seeing my students stay involved, say yes to things, take their own risks and grow so much is the best part of my work.

What advice would you give students?
For me, finding trusted allies was key — people who will see your potential and stand up for you, even if that’s just one or two people. I often thought that I would be bothering someone if I reached out, or that I didn’t have enough experience to take up someone’s time. I think this feeling is experienced by a lot of people, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented in their field. My advice would be to find your allies and leverage those relationships. Ask questions, ask for help, and be honest when you don’t know something — these things all helped me grow. I always try to model that to my students, the best that I can.

Interview date: September 11, 2024