Laura A. Granka
Ph.D, Stanford University
M.S., Cornell University
B.S., Cornell University
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I lead the User Experience Research for Google+. I develop the research strategy, conduct research, and manage the team of UX researchers working in the social space. Prior to that, I spent six years working on Google Search, improving the user experience of products like social search, the +1 button, Google Instant, and Google Suggest. I've received two company OC awards for my work. I completed my PhD at Stanford University, where I studied selective attention and consumption of public affairs content. My dissertation incorporated multiple methods: large-scale survey, experiment, and eyetracking. My faculty advisors include: Shanto Iyengar, Clifford Nass, James Fishkin, and Simon Jackman. |
I completed my M.S. at Cornell University, working with Prof. Thorsten Joachims, Geri Gay, and Jeffrey Hancock in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab. I used eyetracking to assess how individuals view and select search results; specifically, how information quality and task type affect the decision-making process. (See publications and Masters Thesis).
At Google, I've conducted research internationally and in the United States, using eyetracking, usability, log analysis, interviews, and ethnography. I am fluent in statistics and programming with R. I have presented my research at academic and industry conferences, including AIGA (view video), SIGIR, CHI, APSA, and SMX West.