Research Scientist, Center for Child and Family Policy
Karis Cotton, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist in the Center for Child and Family Psychology at Duke University. Her research focuses on designing and evaluating innovative learning experiences and technologies that support youth and families, with particular interests in artificial intelligence, STEM education, and human-centered technology design. She currently contributes to Voices in the Code, a project exploring youth-centered approaches to the development of AI-powered mental health tools.
Prior to joining the Center for Child and Family Psychology, Dr. Cotton worked in Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering, where she supported educational outreach and workforce development initiatives for the Athena AI Institute. Before Duke, she held roles at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia focused on student success, mentoring, and STEM engagement. Dr. Cotton earned a B.S. in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia and both an M.Eng. in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech.