# Sara Kiesler

> social psychologist

**Wikidata**: [Q15995239](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15995239)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sara_Kiesler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sara-kiesler

## Summary
Sara Kiesler is an American social psychologist and computer scientist known for her pioneering work in human-computer interaction (HCI). She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and has made significant contributions to understanding social dynamics in digital environments.

## Biography
- Born: 1940, Washington, D.C.
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor's degree, Simmons University
  - Master of Arts, Stanford University (1963)
  - Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University (1965)
- Known for: Advancing research on social psychology in the context of computer-mediated communication.
- Employer(s): Carnegie Mellon University
- Field(s): Human-computer interaction, social psychology, computer science

## Contributions
Sara Kiesler's work has been foundational in understanding how social behaviors and norms translate to digital interactions. Her research on computer-mediated communication (CMC) explored how people adapt social rules and expectations when communicating via technology. She co-authored the influential 1984 paper "The Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Social Behavior," which examined how CMC affects social presence, immediacy, and interpersonal relationships. Her research laid the groundwork for modern HCI, influencing the design of collaborative tools and virtual environments. She also mentored numerous doctoral students, including Tom Finholt and Jodi Forlizzi, who have gone on to make significant contributions to the field.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Sara Kiesler known for?
A: Sara Kiesler is known for her research on computer-mediated communication and its impact on social behavior, particularly in the context of human-computer interaction.

### Q: Where did Sara Kiesler earn her doctorate?
A: Sara Kiesler earned her doctorate from Ohio State University in 1965.

### Q: What awards has Sara Kiesler received?
A: Sara Kiesler is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and she was inducted into the CHI Academy in 2002.

### Q: Who were Sara Kiesler's doctoral students?
A: Sara Kiesler mentored several notable doctoral students, including Tom Finholt, Jodi Forlizzi, and Gabriela Marcu.

### Q: What was Sara Kiesler's notable 1984 paper about?
A: Her 1984 paper, "The Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Social Behavior," examined how CMC affects social presence, immediacy, and interpersonal relationships.

## Why They Matter
Sara Kiesler's work revolutionized the understanding of how people interact in digital spaces, bridging the gap between social psychology and computer science. Her research on computer-mediated communication provided critical insights into how technology shapes social behavior, influencing the design of modern communication tools. Her mentorship of future leaders in HCI has had a lasting impact on the field, ensuring that her principles continue to guide technological development. Without her contributions, the study of social dynamics in digital environments would lack foundational research, making her a pivotal figure in the evolution of human-computer interaction.

## Notable For
- Co-authored the seminal 1984 paper "The Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Social Behavior," which remains a cornerstone of HCI research.
- Inducted into the CHI Academy in 2002 for her contributions to human-computer interaction.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
- Mentored influential doctoral students, including Tom Finholt and Jodi Forlizzi, who have advanced the field of HCI.
- Her work laid the groundwork for understanding social norms in digital communication, shaping modern collaborative technologies.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sara Kiesler was born in 1940 in Washington, D.C. She earned her bachelor's degree from Simmons University, followed by a Master of Arts from Stanford University in 1963. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy at Ohio State University in 1965, where she studied under Timothy C. Brock.

### Career and Research
Kiesler's career was centered at Carnegie Mellon University, where she made significant contributions to the field of human-computer interaction. Her research focused on computer-mediated communication (CMC), exploring how social behaviors and norms adapt to digital environments. Her 1984 paper, "The Impact of Computer-Mediated Communication on Social Behavior," is a landmark study that examined the effects of CMC on social presence, immediacy, and interpersonal relationships. This work provided critical insights into how technology influences social dynamics, shaping the design of modern communication tools.

### Mentorship and Influence
Kiesler mentored several influential doctoral students, including Tom Finholt, Jodi Forlizzi, and Gabriela Marcu. Her students have gone on to make significant contributions to the field of HCI, ensuring that her principles continue to guide technological development.

### Awards and Recognition
Kiesler's contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including induction into the CHI Academy in 2002. She was also named an ACM Fellow in 2010 for her work on human-computer interaction. Additionally, she is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

### Legacy
Sara Kiesler's work remains foundational in understanding the social implications of digital communication. Her research has influenced the design of collaborative technologies and continues to shape the study of human-computer interaction. Her mentorship and pioneering studies ensure that her insights remain relevant in the evolving landscape of digital interaction.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2010/december/acm-names-41-fellows-from-worlds-leading-institutions)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CONOR.SI
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
7. Catalogo of the National Library of India