MIT PhD Student Ila Kumar Builds Trauma-Tech With Communities in 6th Year
Updated
Updated · MIT News · Sep 1
MIT PhD Student Ila Kumar Builds Trauma-Tech With Communities in 6th Year
2 articles · Updated · MIT News · Sep 1
Summary
Entering her sixth and final PhD year at MIT, Ila Kumar is developing technology with — not for — young people affected by trauma and the child welfare system.
Her approach grew from doubts that earlier 'tech for good' projects delivered lasting impact, pushing her toward community-based design that includes youth, clinicians and service providers from the start.
One project with Stepping Forward LA uses visual collages instead of text to help youth express emotions; another with the Justice Resource Institute is designing an app for treatment planning and goal-setting.
Kumar has also turned to AI after finding trauma-affected youth already use it for major life decisions, leading her to run workshops that help care providers discuss AI with them.
Beyond the lab, she volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate and has built MIT-Harvard communities of practice to spread community-driven research.