Ashish profile picture

Hi! My name is Ashish!

Pronounced "uh-sheesh"

I am a PhD student in Information Technology in the College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University (Go Patriots!). My pronouns are he/him/his.

I am part of the Technocritical Research on AI, Learning & Society Lab (trailsLAB) at GMU. Currently, I am working on the Mason Tech Ethics Project, an NSF-funded grant exploring student's understanding of ethical thinking in our high-tech world. We use role-play activities as a medium for students to explore different perspectives in everyday actions that have ethical considerations.

My research interests include education in higher education, engineering education, and student-self efficacy. My interests are influenced by my experiences as a first-generation college student navigating through academia.

During the 2022-23 Academic Year, I am serving as Director of Communication for Mason's Graduate & Professional Student Assn. (GAPSA), and Co-Diversity Chair for the Student Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

I hold a M.S. in Business Administration (emphasis in Information Security and Assurance) and B.S. in Business Administration (emphasis in Computer Information Systems) from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Go Broncos!). I also hold associates degrees from Pasadena City College (Go Lancers!).

Publications, Proceedings, and Projects Updates

  • (03/22) Presented a Conference Paper at the 2023 American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern Section at George Mason University!
    • Presentation title: "A Research Study on Student Conceptions of Artificial Intelligence"
  • (01/23) An open-access journal paper titled, "Students' technological ambivalence toward online proctoring and the need for responsible use of educational technologies" was published in the Journal of Engineering Education.

  • (10/22) Two Conference Papers were presented at the 2022 Frontiers in Education Annual Conference in Uppsala, Sweden!
    • Paper & Presentation title: "Learning to Link Micro, Meso, and Macro Ethical Concerns Through Role-Play Discussions"
    • Paper & Presentation title: "A Mapping Review of Frameworks in Engineering Education Research"
  • (10/22) Selected to serve as a Member of the Mason Recreation Advisory Board, 2022-23!
    • Responsible for providing a voice for students on recreational activities at GMU and speaking on behalf of students on issues brought up in the meetings. These include how to teach fitness or recreational courses or advise students who want to start sports clubs and how access can be maintained to help keep the university community healthy.
  • (09/22) Presented an Interactive Poster at the 14th Annual Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference at George Mason University!
    • Poster title: "What Would You Do? Connecting Algorithmic Thinking to Ethics through Role-Plays"
  • (07/22) Selected as a Scholar for the Summer Institute for Technology Ethics, 2022!
    • Participated in a 10-day Scholar Residency at Santa Clara University led by Dr. Shannon Valor and Dr. John Sullins. Distinguished Guest Faculty included Dr. David Danks (UCSD), Dr. Alex Hanna (DAIR), Dr. Margaret Mitchell (Hugging Face), Dr. Julie Owono (CPSL & ISF), Dr. Colin Allen (PITT), and Dr. Alan Winfield (UWE).
  • (07/22) Selected to serve as 2022-23 Director of Communication for the Graduate & Professional Student Association (GAPSA)!
    • Elected by the entire electorate. Responsible for all marketing communications (student-focused and otherwise), will hold a seat in the General Assembly, provide support for events such as the Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference.
  • (06/22) Selected to serve as 2022-23 Co-Diversity Chair for the Student Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)!
    • Work with other ASEE divisions to educate and promote diversity and inclusion in the engineering and engineering education communities.
  • (06/22) Presented two Conference Papers, and a Student Showcase Poster at the American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference, 2022!
    • Paper & Presentation title: "Assessing Engineering Student's Representation and Identification of Ethical Dilemmas through Concept Maps and Role-Plays"
    • Paper & Presentation title: "Instructing First-Year Engineering Students on the Ethics of Algorithms through a Role-Play"
    • Poster Presentation title: "What does AI and Tech literacy look like in your discipline?"
  • (03/22) Presented a Conference Poster at 2022 Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference!
    • Poster & Presentation title: "Exploring Student Recruitment Through The Lens of a Digital Campus"

  • (10/21) Presented a Conference Paper at Frontiers in Education, 2021 (virtual conference)!
    • Paper and Presentation title: "Using Role-Plays to Improve Ethical Understanding of Algorithms Among Computing Students"
  • (9/21) Presented two submissions at the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Annual Conference ITL 2021 (virtual conference)!
    • Poster and Presentation title: "Exploring How International GTA's/GRA's Maneuver Academic Spaces"
    • Poster and Presentation title: "Using Role Play Scenarios to Teach Ethical Thinking"
  • (08/21) Selected as 2021-2022 General Assembly Representative for the PhD in Information Technology Program
    • For the 2021-2022 year, I served my second term as the General Assembly Representative for the PhD in Information Program. I am always excited to talk to current and potential students about getting started with a PhD program. This includes (but is not limited to) finding funding/research opportunities, exploring the field of technology, and navigating how to switch fields or disciplines.
  • (07/21) Presented a Conference Paper at American Society for Engineering Education, 2021 (virtual conference)!
    • Paper and Presentation title: "Using the Boeing Max Air Disaster as A Role-play Scenario for Teaching Ethical Thinking"

  • (09/20) Selected as 2020-2021 General Assembly Representative for the PhD in Information Technology Program
    • For the 2020-2021 year, I am as the General Assembly Representative for the PhD in Information Program. I am always excited to talk to current and potential students about getting started with a PhD program. This includes (but is not limited to) finding funding/research opportunities, exploring the field of technology, and navigating how to switch fields or disciplines.
  • (08/20) Started working on the Mason Tech Ethics Project!
    • The Mason Tech Ethics project focuses on how students can be better prepared to face the challenges of working with algorithms through the use Role-Play Scenario (RPS) as they allow students to take a situated perspective of ethical dilemmas.