Leah Pistorius
July 21, 2025
Julie Kientz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, has been elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Kientz’s record of scientific and technical achievement and her commitment to bringing evidence-based expertise to inform complex policy decisions in Washington state.
Julie Kientz, HCDE Professor & Chair
Kientz was elected “for award-winning leadership in HCI computing, whose research has advanced health and education technology, influenced policy, and shaped the HCI field through impactful scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive, real-world technology design,” according to the WSAS announcement.
As a member of the Academy, Kientz joins a network of more than 400 scientists, engineers, and researchers committed to applying scientific knowledge to address the state’s most pressing challenges. Members provide nonpartisan expertise through study committees, policy briefings, and direct engagement with legislators, state agencies, and the governor’s office.
Kientz brings to the Academy a deep background in human-centered computing, with a focus on designing inclusive and accessible technologies to support health, education, and families. A leading researcher in human-computer interaction, she has developed technologies to assist families managing sleep health, parents tracking children’s developmental progress, families navigating screen time and remote learning, adolescents coping with stress, and educators and therapists working with neurodiverse students. Her work is grounded in participatory design methods that prioritize real-world needs and lived experiences.
As a professor and Chair of HCDE, Kientz teaches and mentors students while leading a department that prepares the next generation of researchers and designers to address societal challenges through thoughtful, responsible technology design. Her appointment to the WSAS reflects not only her personal achievements, but also the growing impact of HCDE’s research and teaching on the state and region.
Kientz is one of twelve UW faculty members elected to the WSAS in 2025. They are among 36 scientists and educators from across the state announced as new members on July 17. All will be formally inducted at the WSAS 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 7, 2025.