miriam a. brody

I'm a computer science PhD student at the University of Washington (Paul G. Allen School) advised by Professor Jacob Wobbrock.

My work focuses on designing and evaluating accessible creativity support tools (CSTs) and responsible AI. I am currently exploring the role of emotional safety in CST design and how creativity itself can promote accessibility and well-being. Accessibility is often viewed as a constrained way to accommodate select groups and centers on replicating normative experiences; my research expands accessibility beyond compliance frameworks toward approaches that enable everyone to meet their needs, pursue education, and express creativity.

I’ve published at ASSETS and FDG, with work under review at CHI and ICSE. My work has been recognized by the Computing Research Association (CRA) with the CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Honorable Mention and through scholarship awards from Amazon and PG&E.

Before this, I graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, working under the mentorship of Professor Jingyi Li and Jane L. E. During my undergraduate studies, I spent time as an exchange student at Swarthmore College and Jesus College, Cambridge. I also spent three summers as a software development intern at Amazon.

publications

  • 2025

    Expanding Norms, Negotiating Bodies: How Artists with Disabilities Perceive and Use Creative Tools

    Miriam Brody, Izabella Rodrigues, Jane L. E, Jingyi Li

    Proceedings of the 27th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS '25)

    publisher link pdf zine pdf
    Figure 1 from Brody’s ASSETS 2025 paper: a multi-panel grid labeled A through L showcasing diverse artworks created by study participants, including physical sculptures, digital art, stage performances, virtual reality spaces, and tactile objects.
  • 2024

    RetroFit: Post-Facto Accessibility for Retro Games

    Joseph Carter Osborn, Katiana Wieser, Miriam Brody

    Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games (FDG '24)

    publisher link pdf
    Figure 1 from the RetroFit paper: side-by-side screenshots of Super Mario Bros. comparing gameplay without visual accessibility supports on the left and with modified visual accessibility supports in the main play area on the right.

making

  • A Zine About AI History: Generative Frictions

    Exploring past and present conversations about technology between Terry Winograd and Lucy Suchman

    view pdf
    Cover illustration for "Generative Frictions" featuring stylized hand-drawn pink lettering over a purple and magenta watercolor wash background, depicting two offset rectangular blocks rubbing against each other with directional force arrows and small star accents.

  • The Garden Cart

    Introducing mobility into gardens

Some more about me: I'm a creative writer and poet, and I love improv! I also have been practicing zen mediation for over 19 years.

Checkout my blog thecsphd.

Please reach out if you are interested in collaborating as researchers or artists.