David Huffaker (M.A., Georgetown University) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Media, Technology and Society program in the School of Communication at Northwestern University.

His teaching and research focus on issues pertaining to technology and social behavior.  In particular, he examines leadership, expertise, collaboration and learning in online settings.  His work stands at the intersection of Communication Studies, Psychology, Organizational Science and Technology Studies.  He has published in leading journals such as Journal of Computer-mediated Communication, Developmental Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology and Journal of Educational Computing Research. His research has been highlighted on CBS, NBC, BBC, USA Today, New Scientist and Science News among others.

Trained in interdisciplinary quantitative and qualitative approaches, David relies on language analysis (including automated text analysis and hand-coded discourse analysis), social network analysis and advanced statistical evaluation to examine the communication patterns of online users. His dissertation examines dimensions of leadership and social influence in online communities.

His advisors are Daniel Diermeier in the Kellogg School of Management and Noshir Contractor in the School of Communication. His dissertation committee also includes Eszter Hargittai and Darren Gergle.

Previously, David was advised by Justine Cassell, director of the Articulab (2004-2007), and Sandra Calvert , director of the Children’s Digital Media Center (2002-2004). He was also a summer intern at the I.B.M. T.J. Watson Research Center, working with Jennifer Lai in the Adaptive Learning Solutions Group (2006). Prior to his doctoral work, he completed a M.A. in Communication, Culture and Technology at Georgetown University.

In addition, David is interested in the design and implementation of new technologies.  He has over twelve years experience as a web developer and graphic designer, and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies.

You can contact him at d-huffaker at northwestern dot edu.

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