Hello!
I'm Hadi, a computer science PhD candidate researching
HCI and Responsible AI!
I study topics in computer science, psychology, ethics, education, and interaction design to approach emerging challenges in human-AI interaction from a multidisciplinary perspective. I conduct human-computer interaction methodologies to put users at the center of research processes. My goal is to support the design of AI technologies that minimize harmful impacts.
I collaborate closely with Prof. Ivon Arroyo and Francisco Castro, PhD.
Research Projects
Integrating User-Facing Privacy Tools into Conversational Agents (CA)
Through user-centered approaches, we design, build, and evaluate just-in-time user-facing privacy tools and integrate it into the interface of generative CAs with the aim of supporting users with meaningful agency over privacy during conversations with CAs.
Publications
arXiv 2026
Hadi Nezhad, M., Castro, F., Arroyo, I. 2026. Investigating In-Context Privacy Learning by Integrating User-Facing Privacy Tools into Conversational Agents. [Preprint on arXiv]
arXiv 2026
Hadi Nezhad, M., Castro, F., Arroyo, I. 2026. Understanding Users' Privacy Reasoning and Behaviors During Chatbot Use to Support Meaningful Agency in Privacy. [Preprint on arXiv]
Ongoing Project
Skillset: Surveys | Think-aloud Protocol | Thematic Analysis | Data Triangulation | User Task Design | LLM-assisted Coding Iterative Prototyping
The Platform for Ethical and Responsible Computing Education (PEaRCE)
Through scenario-based learning, we aim to empower students and professionals to critically identify, evaluate, and navigate the ethical challenges inherent in their computing practices. [PEaRCE Website]
Publications
Koli Calling 2025
Castro, F., Hadi Nezhad, M., Iyer M., and Arroyo I. 2025. Using Open-Ended Responses to Design an Assessment Tool for Ethical and Responsible Computing Learning Activities. [DOI—Open Access]
AIED 2025
Hadi Nezhad, M., Castro, F., Mak, E., Haas, P., Allessio, D., Osterweil, L., Rasul, I., Conboy, H., Arroyo, I. (2025). Embedding Ethical Awareness in Computer Science and AI Education: The PEaRCE Approach to Responsible Computing. AIED'25. [DOI, Draft PDF File]
Ongoing Project
Skillset: Surveys | Scenario-based Learning | Thematic Analysis | Qualitative Research | Cross-disciplinary Collaboration
Supporting K-12 Teachers' Decision-Making in Use of Classroom Orchestration Tools
We use methodologies grounded in human–computer interaction to support K–12 teachers’ decision-making when using intelligent tutoring tools for classroom orchestration.
Publications
ECTEL 2024
Hadi Nezhad, M., Castro, F., Woolf, B., & Arroyo, I. (2024). Math Teachers’ In-class Information Needs and Usage for Effective Design of Classroom Orchestration Tools. ECTEL’24. [DOI, Draft PDF File]
Ongoing Project
Skillset: Informative User Interviews | Focus Group | Contextual Inquiry | Thematic Analysis | Qualitative Research
Visual Data Analysis under Differential Privacy
Design and evaluation of a visualization tool to enhance visual data analysts’ understanding of differential privacy’s impact on data visualization
Completed Project
Usability Problems of a Smart Conference Room's Control System
Improving the usability of a user interface that controls and manages a smart conference room.
Completed Project
Resume
Experience
2020-2027
UMass Amherst
MA, US
HCI | Responsible AI Researcher @ Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) Lab
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Please refer to the Projects section above for my current involvements.
Education
2020-Present
UMass Amherst
MA, US
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science
Core Courses:
Advanced Methods in HCI | Data Visualization & Exploration | Artificial Intelligence | Advanced Algorithms | Research Methods for Empirical Computer Science | Educational Data Mining & Learner Analytic | Database Design and Implementation | Neural Networks: A Modern Introduction
2013-2018
Sharif University of Technology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Engineering
Relevant Courses:
Introduction to HCI | Web Programming | Software Engineering | Database Design | Object-Oriented Designing | Java Programming
Skillset
Research Methods
User Interviews | Survey | Contextual Inquiry | Thematic Analysis | Iterative Prototyping
Usability testing | Think-aloud Protocol | Qualitative research | Quantitative research
Programming & Tools
HTML & CSS | Javascript | Python | SQL | Figma | Axure | Qualtrics
Adobe Photoshop | Adobe Premiere | NVivo
Domains
Usable Privacy in Chatbots | Transparency and Explainability in AI-Powered Educational Tools Ethical and Responsible Computing Education | Human-AI Interaction | Software Developm.
Awards
Spring 2026
UMass Amherst
Pre-Dissertation Grant
Awarded this grant from the graduate school at UMass Amherst in support of my planned dissertation research.
Spring 2026
UMass Amherst
Dissertation Writing Fellowship
Awarded this fellowship from Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences as a Dissertation Writing Fellowships for Spring 2026.
Spring 2024
UMass Amherst
Research Assistantship
Received a research position to participate in a NSF-grant-funded project about a Platform for Ethical and Responsible Computing Education (PEaRCE).
Fall 2021
UMass Amherst
James Kurose Scholarship
An scholarship for an outstanding computer science graduate student.
Fall 2020
UMass Amherst
Research Assistantship
Received a research position to participate in a NSF-grant-funded project about visualization of differentially private information.
Fall 2020
UMass Amherst
Accepted into MS/PhD Program at CICS at UMass Amherst along with Assistantship
Admitted into Computer Science graduate program at UMass Amherst starting Fall 2020 and received assistantships.
Teaching Experience
2021-2023
UMass Amherst
Teaching Assistant
Responsible for delivering lectures, conducting office hours, leading lab sessions, and designing
exams for classes with enrollments averaging 100 students. Played a crucial role in course
management by overseeing course tools, coordinating with other TAs/UCAs, and undertaking
grading duties.
Courses assisted:
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CS325: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
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CS345: Practice and Applications of Data Management
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CS326: Web Programming
2017
Sharif University of Technology
Teaching Assistant
Contributed to the course CE40-418: System Analysis and Design, with responsibilities including holding office hours, lab sessions, and undertaking grading duties.
