Dr. Ruth Shillair, PhD

Students

Publications

1280 Citations

43 Conference Papers

Teamwork

We face complex questions with no simple answers. The best results comes from interdisciplinary teams that work together for a common good. Combining our expertice can lead to breakthrough findings.

I work with multiple teams that explore everything from how to improve cybersecurity capacity building, and how to alot resources to how to help improve individual's digital literacy so they can make good choices for themselves.

Michigan State University

Media & Information

The word cloud is based on my publication keywords. My research varies in application area, but foundationally it acknowledges the wide and increasing use of technology in everything from critical functions to everyday entertainment. We study how to make wise choices, understanding the implications for security and privacy. I teach several classes dealing with these choices. I also am director of our master's program that focuses on game design, human computer interaction/ usability, and media policy.

Teaching and Mentoring

I love working with students to build their skills and training them to achive their dreams. Media & information studies has a myriad of applications in both industry and higher education.

Service and Administration

As director of the media and information program, I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of faculty and scholars that focus on game studies, human-computer interaction and usability (HCI/UX), and media policy.

Research and Publications

Media and Information research with graduate students

Quello Center

Global Cybersecurity Capacity Centre

href="https://www.merit.edu/initiatives/research/"MERIT research

Select Research Projects

flow of vulnerabilities in medical image storage

Teaching

I strategically design my classes for optimal learning through measurable outcomes and clear guidelines. I use Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development and Maslow's learning theory to guide my class content and teaching methods.I try to provide a supportive and safe environment for my students. Below are some of the classes I teach.

Information and Society MI 304

This class explores the impacts of technology and society. We look at digital literacy, digital inequalities, social media and democracy, impacts of AI, and students write an in-depth literature review on a topic of their choice.

Media Entrepreneurship and Business Strategies MI 452

This course looks at business strategies in today's environment. We focus on media and online platforms and how they are monetized. Students do an in depth analysis of a business, and do a full proposal of a new business

Digital Business and Commerce MI 472

This class explores how computing systems support and control business sytems. Students learn how to use databases (SQL, Neo4J), how to use business analytics, and make their own website.

Visit the MI MA program

Testimonials

To protect privacy the images are AI generated

MI 304 Student

“She changed my life, it feels like she helps learn and always provides good feedback to help you learn from any mistakes and will guide you through the class. It doesn't feel like you're just another student, but like your learning is greatly important to her.”

MI 304 Student

“Although the coursework was a bit heavier, I felt that it was worth it. My overall understanding of AI and different technologies and how they affect society has developed significantly, and I was able to express myself through a topic of my choice in a professional atmosphere..”

MI 452 student

“It helped me getting the overview of different aspects of entrepreneurship and also it created an interest in me regarding the business opportunities that I might work on in the future. It was a great class.”

MI 850 Student

“MI 850 was a great class. I would recommend this course for people outside the field as well. Dr. Shillair, does a great job of making students feel encouraged and supported in the course. The course was one of the best courses I have taken as a graduate student, and it was an elective.”