Zikai Alex Wen, Ph.D.

About
Degrees
Biography
Dr. Wen is a human-computer interaction researcher specializing in usable privacy and security. He advocates for user autonomy in privacy and security, believing that technologies should support and enhance user decision-making rather than replace it with fully automated protections. His research designs evidence-based interactive interventions (e.g., educational video games, explanatory visualizations, and AI assistants), enabling users to better protect themselves and manage their personal information with confidence.
Dr. Wen’s work has been published in leading research venues, including IEEE S&P and ACM CHI, and supported by prestigious external research grants. He has also received multiple research awards. He actively contributes to the academic communities (e.g., ACM SIGCHI). Before joining UW Tacoma School of Engineering & Technology, he completed his postdoctoral training at VT PASTA Lab and HKUST VIS Lab.
Honors and Awards
- AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar Award Honorable Mention, 2024
- IEEE MMSP Outstanding Service Award, 2022
Websites
Personal: faculty.washington.edu/zkwen