I study and design technologies that grow curiosity, connection, and learning.

As a PhD candidate at MIT Media Lab, I research social processes like collaboration, productive struggle, and shared discovery. I design systems that support these dynamics in learning environments and beyond.

Caitlin making
Social learning

My research involves building software and hardware tools and testing them through quantitative methods and longitudinal, community-situated studies. This approach is grounded in years of hands-on teaching: working with students to learn computer science, design, and brain sciences through project-based making. With a background in interactive media art and architecture, I have a deep love for creating physical and digital systems that invite exploration and connection.

Get in touch: camorris@media.mit.edu

Work

Education

PhD, Media Arts & Sciences

MIT Media Lab, Fluid Interfaces Group, Expected 2026

Dissertation: "Re-Imagining Learning Together With AI"

Research focus: Social learning, collaborative curiosity, AI in education. Developing tools to understand and enhance peer learning in technology-mediated environments.

MS, Media Arts & Sciences

MIT Media Lab, 2021

MFA, Design and Technology

Parsons The New School for Design, 2012

BS, Architectural Building Sciences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

BS, Psychology

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Awards & Grants

2025

Cosmos Institute Grantee

2024-2025

Morningside Academy for Design Fellow

2023-2024

LEGO Papert Fellow

2021-2023

Meta Research Fellow

Teaching

Design Studio Facilitator

NuVu Studio, Cambridge, 2023-Present

Co-design workshops with high school students exploring learning technologies and collaborative tools.

Teaching Assistant & Workshop Leader

MIT Media Lab, 2019-Present

Adjunct Faculty, Creative Coding

NYU Integrated Digital Media, 2016-2019

Courses on creative coding and digital media for arts and computer science students. Topics include programming in Processing, p5.js, and node.js; object-oriented programming; physical computing and HCI; history and cultural significance of multimedia art and games; servers and communication; and digital fabrication.

Faculty

School for Poetic Computation, 2013-2017

Courses and workshops exploring the intersections of code, design, hardware and theory, focusing on physical computing, electronics design, and digital-mechanical communication.

Adjunct Faculty

Parsons The New School for Design, 2012-2015

Design & Engineering

Lead Design & Engineering

Hypersonic, 2015-2019

Design studio specializing in kinetic sculpture and interactive installations.

Artist in Residence

Museum of Art and Design, New York, 2015

Lead Creative Visualist

Fake Love, 2013-2015

Interactive Researcher

Fabrica (Arts and Research Residency), Italy, 2013-2014

Skills

Research Methodologies

Qualitative research, participatory design, mixed methods analysis, ethnographic studies, co-design methods, quantitative analysis

Technical Skills

Python, JavaScript (p5.js, node.js), Processing, interactive installations, kinetic sculpture, physical computing, electronics design, firmware development, computational design