Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet Carrie Demmans Epp

In our increasingly data-driven society, the technology and techniques of computing science can be applied to almost any field.

An assistant professor in the University of Alberta’s Department of Computing Science, Carrie Demmans Epp is no stranger to the interconnected nature of computing science, and how it can support a variety of topics of study. From linguistics to education, her work drives forward applications of computing science technology—and as an instructor helps students find their own paths.

Hear more from Demmans Epp on problem-solving in computing science, collaboration, and connecting with students to help them flourish.

What do you teach?

I teach computing science. This includes human-computer interaction—how to design software so that people can use it—and natural language processing, which encompasses how computers can work with human language to support different tasks.

What do you love about your field?

I love how computing science is so focused on solving problems. I also like how it can be easily combined with other fields. Most of my work combines computing science with education, languages, or linguistics.

What should students who are interested in this topic know?

Computer science is highly collaborative and projects need people with different skills.

Tell me about your passion for teaching. What inspires you?

I like helping people improve their skills.

How do you cultivate a community of practice with your fellow instructors?

I try to focus on getting people to think about students as they are rather than as the instructor expects them to be, which is often a model version of how the instructor was as a student. 

What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?

This is a hard question to answer. In my experience, different people are surprised by different things. Most of the things that people might find surprising about me are on my website. 

One that many don't expect from a computer science instructor is that I used to coach artistic (synchronized) swimming.

Favourite thing about working at the Faculty of Science?

I love how supportive many of my colleagues are.

I also love walking into Athabasca Hall from CAB early in the morning during winter because it's so peaceful, and the lights on the trees that frame the entry are beautiful. You don't get to see that if you come in after the sun is up.

Curious to learn more? Find more information on teaching and learning in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Science.