Ms. Annette Irungu
Research Associate & Teaching Assistant
Research Associate, Social Robotics Lab, JKUAT
About
I am a computer science researcher passionate about building technology that empowers people. My work sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction (HCI) and socio-technical systems, with a core focus on designing human-centered frameworks that increase user agency, especially for vulnerable or disempowered groups. I employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative analysis and quantitative evaluation to ensure that technological solutions are both practical and socially responsible.
Research Focus
Human-Centered Design & Evaluation, Responsible Computing in Practice, Mixed-Methods for Socio-Technical Systems.
Biography
Annette Irungu is a Research Associate with the Social Robotics Lab at JKUAT and a recent Master of Engineering graduate from Nagasaki University, Japan. Her research is driven by a commitment to justice and empathy in technology, focusing on how system design can address power imbalances. Her master's thesis focused on developing and validating data augmentation techniques to improve diagnostic model generalization. More recently, she has led the design and deployment of the PAUSE framework, a human-centered tool that helps student developers evaluate the societal impact of their projects. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on ensuring technology serves human needs and values.
Education & Qualifications
Master of Engineering in Advanced Engineering, Nagasaki University, Japan; BSc in Computer Science, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya
Specialization
Methodologies: Human-Centered Design, Mixed-Methods Research, Qualitative Coding, Statistical Analysis (Python), Prototype Development & Evaluation. Technical Domains: Responsible Computing, Usable Privacy & Security, Socio-Technical Systems, Data Analysis. Core Philosophy: Designing technology that prioritizes user agency and tangible impact over purely technical performance.