Daeun (Dany) Hwang
Hi! I'm Daeun (Dany), a Ph.D. student bridging technical systems and human-centered design to amplify creativity, agency, and expression through technology and AI.
My research explores how advanced technologies can empower youth and everyday creators to express their unique voice. This includes fostering creative AI literacy for underserved youth with GenAI-mediated creation, especially for music.
Grounded in a global UX background, I use mixed methods to design intuitive and supportive interactions with intelligent systems.
Currently pursuing Ph.D. in Information Science @University of Washington
Advised by Dr. Jin Ha Lee and Dr. Jason C. Yip
RECENT
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Sept. 2026: Became part of a research project collaborating with OnePlanet, to foster community-led AI adoption and youth creativity. 🇵🇪
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Apr. 2026: Attended CHI 2026 as 2nd author of a paper and student volunteer. 🇪🇸
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Mar. 2026: Started working as Student Researcher at Google Cloud, Applied AI Team!
Featured Research
Exploring player motivation in static and dynamic narrative
NSF-Funded project
IEEE Transactions on Games 2025
CHI 2025 Workshop (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems)
ICIDS 2024 (International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling)
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AI-driven dynamic narrative systems for education
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Comparative study analyzing player experience
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Deriving design implications from qualitative insights
How does constructive feedback in an educational game sound to children?
International Journal of Child Computer Interaction (IJCCI)
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Independent research and solo game development
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3x2 between-subject experimental study with 60 pairs of children and parents
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Analyzing how sound feedback impacts learners
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Discovering children's emotional reactions to different feedback types
More about Daeun!
My research is driven by a simple but strong belief: technology should be more than just a tool, but it should provide an engaging and even playful experience.
Growing up as a missionary's kid in Ecuador, I could see firsthand how small details could have a huge impact on users in terms of human-computer interaction. That insight fuels my research journey today, where I explore how AI and emerging technologies can scaffold creativity, support diverse youth, and foster meaningful human-computer interactions.
For UX focused portfolio, please visit daeunhwang.com (click to see)
A few fun facts about me:
