Nandini Banerjee is a Ph.D. student in the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University of Notre Dame. With a keen interest in the intersection of technology and human behavior, Nandini’s research focuses on studying disruption in citation networks to understand how scientific knowledge evolves and how innovation is fostered within academic communities.
Her work aims to unravel the complexities of scientific collaboration, particularly by understanding the characteristics and dynamics of scientific teams. Beyond her academic pursuits, Nandini likes to dabble in art in different media.
What or who inspired your research and its applications to society?
My academic interest lies in using computation to understand the comlex systems around us. Thus, a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering and a personal curiosity to understand the processes and the reasons behind what humans do, how societies are structured, and what drives social change, led me to pursue a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame where I analyze scientific networks to understand the complexities of scientific collaboration, particularly the characteristics and dynamics of scientific teams.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about collaboration from working with people outside of your field?
My most valued lesson has to be the importance of clarity in communication. When explaining complex information to interdisciplinary collaborators, one cannot rely on discipline-specific jargon. The process of making my explanations jargon-free has not only deepened my own understanding but also challenged some of my assumptions, which has been extremely rewarding.
How has the Lucy Family Institute contributed to your development as a research scholar?
As a Lucy Graduate Scholar, having given multiple research presentations for different occasions, I discovered my passion for clear, jargon-free communication of scientific ideas. I find it incredibly rewarding to translate technical concepts into language that resonates with audiences of different backgrounds and expertise levels. As a researcher, I am committed to inclusive communication that doesn’t assume prior knowledge.
To learn more about the Lucy Graduate Scholars program, please visit the webpage.