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The Disco Lab 🪩

Welcome!

We are the Digital Interpersonal Security and COmmunity-Engaged Research Lab - also known as the Disco Lab. Our mission ****is to support digital safety, security, and privacy within interpersonal relationships. We use primarily qualitative and design methods toward two goals:

1. Characterize how digital technologies may invoke security, privacy, and safety concerns within interpersonal relationships.
2. Design context-sensitive sociotechnical interventions to mitigate and prevent these concerns through collaboration with affected communities.

Ultimately, we work toward a world where digital technologies support interpersonal connection, rather than weakening it.

The Disco Lab is led by PI Sophie Stephenson and housed at the University of Texas at Arlington.

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Members

Faculty

• Dr. Sophie Stephenson (PI)

PhD Students

• Samira Akter (Fall 2026 - present)

Volunteer Researchers

• Lamia Hasan Rodoshi (Fall 2026 - present)

Projects

Our work follows two primary research threads: characterizing emerging interpersonal threats, and designing or assessing sociotechnical interventions.