Faculty Spotlight: Tamanna Motahar
Tamanna Motahar, Ph.D. joined the School of Computing and Informatics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as an assistant professor in August 2025 , where she holds the Patrick Clark Endowed Professorship. Prior to this appointment, she was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. She has a background in Computer Engineering and a master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and she completed her Ph.D. in Computing in 2024 at the University of Utah. Dr. Motahar’s research is highly interdisciplinary, situated at the intersection of Human-Centered Computing (HCC) and Accessibility, with a central focus on expanding technology access for people with diverse abilities. Her work investigates the needs, challenges, and expectations of individuals with motor impairments through a wide range of HCI methodologies. Her work has been published in premier HCI venues, including ACM CHI, IMWUT, ASSETS, and DIS, and has received multiple awards. In addition to its methodological rigor, her work spans computational dimensions such as interaction modalities, device form factors, data collection and tracking mechanisms, sensor design, and the social and contextual dynamics of technology use among diverse populations.
Her research agenda centers on “Democratizing Accessibility Research.” Drawing on extensive experience in computing and engineering across multiple countries and cultural contexts, she brings a global perspective and a deep appreciation for collaborative research. She actively engages with communities and organizations to address real-world accessibility and technology design challenges. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious honors, including Grace Hopper Scholar (2019), Tapia Scholar (2020), ACM-W Asia Pacific Rising Star (2020), and Cultural Competence in Computing Fellow (2023).
Contact Dr. Motahar or learn more through these links:
tamanna.motahar@louisiana.edu
Dr. Motahar’s Website
Dr. Motahar’s Google Scholar Page