mina zavary.
about

more about mina.

get in touch read the cv

i’m interested in what happens to people when a number stands in for them — and in whether the systems doing the measuring could be built to be navigable instead.

  • i study measurement — the high-stakes kind that decides who gets access to what, and quietly shapes how people value themselves.
  • for the past three years i’ve been studying grades — how students read, contest, and build their own tools around their grade data. now also on ai-run hiring interviews.
  • i’m a ux researcher too, not formerly. allstate, and two years embedded in uw’s academic support programs.
  • i teach the usability course — hcde 417, five quarters.
  • husky 100, 2025.

the industry work gave me the craft — scoping, prototyping, handing something off that a team can actually build. that’s what lets my research land as design implications instead of stopping at findings.

mina zavary

drop portrait.jpg into
assets/img/ — portrait, 3:4

honors

recognition

  • 2025

    husky 100

    100 students across all uw campuses, for making the most of their time there.

  • 2023

    graduate student equity & excellence (gsee) top off award

    one incoming phd student per year, for commitment to diversity and the advancement of communities of color.

  • 2023

    hcde student award of excellence for diversity, equity, and inclusion

    for commitments to dei and justice through outreach, research, or coursework.

  • 2023

    magna cum laude

    high honors, uw college of engineering.

service & mentorship

the unglamorous part

  • 2026

    hcde ms application reviewer

    initial review of 200 applications.

  • 2023–

    hcde phd grad ambassador

    talking with prospective phd students about the program.

  • 2023–25

    hcde phd application reviewer

    5–20 applications per year.

  • 2022–23

    hcde sustained dialogue leadership team

    built the program structure, moderators, and topics.

  • 2022–

    hcde diversity, equity, and inclusion committee

    representative; also on the teaching subcommittee.

  • 2021–22

    hcde advisory board member

    met regularly with the hcde chair to give input on department decisions.

get in touch

say hi.

i’m looking for a ux research internship for summer 2027, and i’m always glad to talk about measurement, grading, participatory methods, or teaching.

zavarym@uw.edu linkedin cv