鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock is home to a diverse student body and respected faculty transforming academic endeavors into practical support and solutions for Arkansans. Establishing a full-service veterans legal clinic within the Bowen School of Law and bolstering nanotech research with a wide range of real-world applications will benefit veterans and accelerate innovative breakthroughs at the intersection of science and medicine,鈥� said U.S. Senator John Boozman, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to have championed these investments and look forward to the exciting impact they will have on our state and beyond in the years to come.鈥�

Chancellor Christina Drale added that these investments further position the university to serve Arkansas through impactful research and programs.

鈥淭his level of federal investment affirms the value and impact of the work happening at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock,鈥� said Chancellor Christina Drale. 鈥淔rom supporting Arkansas veterans to advancing research in nanotechnology, cybersecurity, and data analytics, these appropriations strengthen our ability to serve the state and deliver research that makes a measurable difference for our communities and our country.

The federal funding package includes two direct allocations secured by Boozman for the veterans legal clinic and nanotechnology research equipment, in addition to the other investments he and the Arkansas congressional delegation supported for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock programs:

• $750,000 to support the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at the William H. Bowen School of Law
• $6 million for nanotechnology initiatives, including:
  • $3 million to enhance nanotechnology research capacity through the purchase of highly specialized state-of-the-art equipment
  • $3 million specifically for nanomaterials for bone regeneration research
• $5 million to develop a cyber-resilient computing platform in partnership with Montana State University
• $1 million to support COSMOS (social networks analysis) research

Veterans Legal Services Clinic

The $750,000 appropriation will enhance the Bowen School of Law鈥檚 Veterans Legal Services Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to Arkansas veterans while giving law students hands-on experience. To date the clinic has supported Veterans in two thirds of Arkansas counties and has secured more than $500k in benefits for veterans. With the additional funding, the clinic hopes to secure additional support to serve all Arkansas counties.  

鈥淭his funding strengthens our ability to stand alongside Arkansas veterans and ensure they have access to the legal services they deserve,鈥� said Dean Colin Crawford of the Bowen School of Law. 鈥淚t also gives our students meaningful, real-world experience advocating for those who have served our country.鈥�

Analytical and Nanotechnology Research Expansion

The $6 million in nanotechnology funding will significantly expand 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 research capacity. The $3 million equipment investment will enhance nanotechnology research through the acquisition of advanced instrumentation, positioning the university for continued growth in high-impact materials science. The instrumentation will serve both the academic as well as the industrial partners and provide educational opportunities for a variety of students and users. An additional $3 million will support research focused specifically on nanomaterials for bone regeneration, with potential applications for injured service members and others requiring regenerative medical treatments.

鈥淭hese investments strengthen the university鈥檚 ability to conduct advanced characterization and research at a higher level both academically and industrially,鈥� said Dr. Alex Biris, Chief Scientist at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences. 鈥淭he funding expands our research capacity, and the support for the development of technologies focused on advanced bone and tissue regeneration, allowing us to pursue innovative solutions with significant implications for both national defense and medical advancement.鈥�  

Cyber-Resilient Space Computing Platform

The $5 million cyber-resilient computing platform project, a joint effort between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and Montana State University, will focus on strengthening satellite systems against emerging cyber threats and enhancing national security capabilities in space.

鈥淭his project advances our ability to build AI models that protect mission-critical systems operating in increasingly complex and contested cyber environments in space,鈥� said Dr. Philip Huff. 鈥淚t reflects 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 growing leadership in applied cybersecurity research that directly supports national defense and workforce needs.鈥�

COSMOS: Social Networks Analysis

The $1 million investment in COSMOS (social networks analysis) will expand research capabilities in data analytics and national security applications.

鈥淪ocial network analysis plays a critical role in understanding complex digital ecosystems and cognitive security challenges,鈥� said Dr. Nitin Agarwal, director of COSMOS Research Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭his funding allows us to deepen our research impact while preparing students to lead in high-demand intelligence and analytics fields.鈥�

Together, these investments accelerate 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 momentum as a leading public research university and a driver of innovation in Arkansas. From supporting veterans in Arkansas courtrooms to advancing technologies that strengthen national security, the university continues to translate research excellence into tangible benefits for the state and the nation.

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Selected from college-level honorees, this year鈥檚 winners represent the highest level of achievement across the university. Winners are recognized for excellence in the classroom, advancing knowledge in their fields, and making meaningful contributions to communities across Arkansas and beyond.

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock annually recognizes faculty who are making a difference through their work across these areas, with the Faculty Excellence Awards representing the highest honor the university bestows on its faculty. Each year, academic colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law select top faculty members in each category.

鈥淥ur faculty continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to teaching, research, and service that strengthens both our university and the communities we serve,鈥� said Provost Ann Bain. 鈥淭hese awards reflect the depth of talent and dedication across our institution.鈥�

Each university-level award recipient receives a $5,000 prize, made possible through private support.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors selects the university-wide winners from the college-level winners in each category. 

鈥淚 want to thank the Board of Visitors again for their thoughtful continued commitment to recognizing faculty excellence,鈥� Bain said. 鈥淲e appreciate their dedication and the positive feedback they consistently share about the impact of our faculty.鈥�

Teaching Award

Sponsored by the Bailey Foundation

Dr. Jana McAuliffe, associate professor of philosophy in the School of Human Inquiry in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching.

McAuliffe is recognized for her engaging, student-centered approach that encourages students to develop their own intellectual voice while exploring complex philosophical ideas. She teaches across the philosophy and interdisciplinary studies curriculum, including the University Core and the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program.

In the classroom, McAuliffe emphasizes critical discussion, collaborative exploration, and writing for diverse audiences. Her assignments challenge students to translate complex philosophical concepts into accessible formats, helping them communicate ideas beyond academic settings.

She is also deeply committed to mentoring undergraduate research, supporting independent student projects, helping students secure Signature Experience grants, and guiding them as they present their work at academic conferences. Her impact extends beyond campus through her work as co-director of the Arkansas High School Ethics Bowl and as project director of the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Ethics and Philosophy Summer Academy.

鈥淧hilosophy as a discipline is well-known for not offering one 鈥榬ight鈥� answer,鈥� McAuliffe said. 鈥淚 work hard to help my students feel comfortable enough with that to craft their right answer, and to share that with each other and with the broader world.鈥�

Research and Creative Works Award

Sponsored by Jafaar Golzar 

Dr. Nitin Agarwal, the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Works.

Agarwal is internationally recognized for his research in social computing, artificial intelligence, and cognitive security. Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2009, he has built an interdisciplinary research program that examines how information spreads across online networks and how digital influence campaigns shape public perception.

He founded the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS), an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding evolving social and cyber behaviors on modern information platforms.

鈥淯nderstanding how digital information ecosystems influence society is one of the defining challenges of our time,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淚鈥檓 fortunate to work alongside talented students and colleagues who are committed to advancing knowledge and developing solutions that strengthen communities and institutions.鈥�

Over the past five years, Agarwal has secured more than $60 million in federal funding, including grants from the National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the U.S. Department of Defense, with nearly $30 million directly supporting 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock research initiatives.

His collaborations span more than 200 researchers across 130 academic, government, and industry organizations worldwide. His work includes 12 books and more than 400 articles in top-tier journals and conferences, earning 26 best paper awards.

Agarwal鈥檚 research has also produced widely used tools for analyzing digital information ecosystems, including systems designed to identify adversarial influence campaigns and online scams. These tools are used by organizations such as NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization. He has also been nominated to serve on the Arkansas AI task force established by Governor Sarah Sanders.

Public Service Award

Sponsored by Alfred Williams in Honor of Elaine Eubank

Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, professor and chairperson of the Department of Applied Communication in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Public Service.

Chatham-Carpenter is recognized for applying her expertise in communication to strengthen civic dialogue and democratic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. Her work includes co-hosting the public affairs podcast On the Other Hand, which features conversations with leaders and community members about issues shaping Arkansas and the nation.

She also serves in leadership roles with Braver Angels, a national grassroots organization focused on reducing political polarization. In that role, she facilitates workshops, contributes to statewide and national initiatives, and supports community leaders working to bridge political divides and foster more constructive dialogue.

Chatham-Carpenter brings that work back to campus and into the community through courses, trainings, and public programs that help students, faculty, and community partners navigate conflict and engage across differences. Her outreach includes workshops with organizations such as the City of Little Rock and the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

鈥淪ervice allows us to translate what we study in the classroom into real-world impact,鈥� Chatham-Carpenter said. 鈥淏y helping people develop the skills to engage across differences, we can contribute to healthier communities and stronger civic dialogue.鈥�

Social Justice Award

Sponsored by Scott and Amy Schuh, Katherine Shoulders and an Anonymous Donor聽

Professor Suzanne Penn, supervising attorney and assistant clinical professor of legal education at the William H. Bowen School of Law, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award in Social Justice.

Penn is recognized for her decades of work expanding access to justice for underserved Arkansans through clinical legal education and community advocacy. She directs the Delta Divorce Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to individuals seeking divorces in counties across the Arkansas Delta where access to legal services is limited.

The clinic travels to rural communities to assist individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation or travel long distances to seek help. Through this work, Penn has helped expand access to critical legal services while addressing barriers faced by individuals in underserved regions.

At the same time, the clinic provides law students with hands-on experience working with real clients and navigating complex legal processes. The program has assisted hundreds of Arkansans facing challenging circumstances鈥攊ncluding individuals experiencing domestic violence or financial hardship鈥攚hile preparing students for client-centered legal practice.

鈥淎ccess to justice is a fundamental principle of our legal system,鈥� Penn said. 鈥淭he Delta Divorce Clinic provides meaningful opportunities for students to serve their communities while helping individuals navigate difficult legal situations.鈥�

Rising Faculty Award

Sponsored by Scott Bowen

Dr. Kent Kovacs, associate professor in the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Rising Faculty Award.

Kovacs is recognized for his strong early impact in research, teaching, and service since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2024. His work focuses on environmental and resource economics, with particular emphasis on groundwater sustainability, agricultural resilience, and ecosystem services.

He has maintained an active research agenda, publishing in academic journals and securing external funding, including a National Science Foundation award as principal investigator and support from the Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board. His research examines the economic incentives shaping producer and household decision-making, with issues directly relevant to Arkansas and the broader Mississippi Delta region.

In the classroom, Kovacs teaches courses including Macroeconomic Principles, Quantitative Business Analysis, and Environmental Economics, where he connects theory to real-world policy problems through active learning, data-driven exercises, and applied case studies. He has also supported student research and helped revive Environmental Economics as an upper-level elective.

鈥淓conomics offers powerful tools for understanding and addressing complex environmental and policy challenges,鈥� Kovacs said. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to bring that work into the classroom and to build research and teaching connections that strengthen 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 impact.鈥�

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Agarwal鈥檚 award-winning paper, 鈥� introduces a novel, human-centered AI framework that goes beyond surface-level metrics to reveal how emotion, sentiment and bias shift throughout digital video content. The research was recognized for advancing media transparency and accountability in an era dominated by engagement-driven algorithms.

The study addresses a growing concern in the digital age: how platforms such as YouTube shape public perception through algorithmic design and emotionally charged framing. While most prior research has focused on titles, thumbnails and engagement statistics, Agarwal鈥檚 team examined the full narrative arc of videos to better understand how messages evolve from first impression to underlying substance.

Using artificial intelligence, the researchers conducted a multi-layer analysis of YouTube content, evaluating titles, descriptions, transcripts and AI-generated summaries. This approach allowed the team to trace how emotional tone and bias change as viewers move deeper into the content.

The results were “striking,” Agarwal said.

Sentiment grew more positive and joyful across deeper layers of analysis, while anger and toxicity declined sharply. Video titles, which are often optimized to attract clicks, were consistently the most provocative, while the core narratives tended to be more balanced, measured and constructive.

鈥淭his research shows how AI can be used to interpret meaning, not just data,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淏y analyzing content holistically, we can uncover gaps between what grabs attention on the surface and what a message actually communicates. That distinction is essential for building more transparent and trustworthy digital environments.鈥�

Published in the IARIA Congress 2025 proceedings, the study represents a significant advance in AI-driven media analysis. By integrating sentiment, emotion and toxicity detection across multiple content layers, the research establishes a new framework for evaluating online media beyond headlines and engagement metrics.

The implications extend well beyond YouTube. The methodology can be applied across social and digital platforms to help researchers, policymakers and technology developers better understand how algorithms influence engagement and how those systems might be redesigned to promote fairness, accuracy, and contextual integrity.

鈥淥ur goal is to help both platforms and audiences distinguish between attention-grabbing rhetoric and authentic communication,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭his kind of analysis moves us closer to AI systems that genuinely support informed decision-making.鈥�

The recognition adds to a growing list of international honors for Agarwal and the , which he founded and directs. COSMOS conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computer science, behavioral analysis, and social impact, with support from federal agencies and international partners focused on algorithmic transparency, cognitive warfare, AI applications, and digital ethics.

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A coordinated cognitive threat is an effort to influence what people think, believe or feel by spreading misleading or manipulative information, often through social media, videos or online networks. According to a news release, the award will fund research and development of artificial intelligence鈥搃nformed socio-computational models to enhance situational awareness by detecting, examining, evaluating, measuring and predicting the coordinated cognitive threat level or impact of adversarial information campaigns. Unchecked online information environments can evolve rapidly, allowing adversaries to disrupt military operations through protests and other non-lethal resistance.

Agarwal, founding director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies () Research Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and his team will expand their work to understand and mitigate cognitive threats in the digital age.

鈥淲e need to develop scientific approaches to mitigate emerging cognitive threats in a global context, equip our warfighters with these capabilities, and strengthen community resiliency,鈥� Agarwal said.

AI-enhanced cognitive threats have already become a key factor in tensions between the United States and China. Agarwal said that misleading narratives in the Indo-Pacific region often portray the United States negatively, with adversaries working to manipulate local opinions by spreading falsehoods.

鈥淪uch influence operation tactics can be employed clandestinely in a low-cost, low-risk context. Military leaders can expect to encounter an increased volume of adversary-generated, AI-amplified, social media鈥揹riven information campaigns,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淪ocio-cognitive threats are increasingly becoming: 1) a collective phenomenon, and 2) multimedia-centric. This project aims to advance socio-computational science and AI to mitigate AI-enhanced cognitive threats and strengthen community resiliency. The developed approaches will be validated and demonstrated in real-world use cases.鈥�

The award has received support from U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who is a strong advocate for the innovative research taking place at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and COSMOS.

鈥淚 am pleased to support 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and its Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies. This award recognizes the significance of this program to our national security,鈥� Boozman said. 鈥淭he important research conducted here will enhance our ability to counter the use of novel social media tactics by foreign extremists and terrorist groups threatening the United States and our allies.鈥�

鈥淲e are extremely grateful for the support from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock leadership and U.S. Sen. John Boozman for championing this vital research,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭his funding helps the COSMOS Research Center continue to develop analytical tools and capabilities to strengthen our national defense and security apparatus against cognitive threats.鈥�

The developed models will be integrated into COSMOS software platforms, including BlogTracker and V(ideo)Tracker, bringing these tools closer to operational use.

The award also provides funding for training exercises focused on the evolving security landscape of big data analytics, data management, machine learning and AI applications.

鈥淭he project helps create exciting opportunities for our students and research staff through exposure to real-world problems and by stimulating them to develop science-based solutions,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭his funding will also enhance COSMOS鈥� AI and high-performance computing infrastructure to scale up multimedia data analysis and sensemaking.鈥�

The award is expected to support about 15 graduate assistantships, several postdoctoral research fellowships, and additional positions for data engineers and network administrators.

Students working on the project will gain valuable skills in data science, artificial intelligence, natural language processing and machine learning.

鈥淭hrough these projects, we are training our students to be future-ready innovators prepared to tackle real-world challenges,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淭hese skills are highly transferable across any technology-driven environment. Even before graduation, COSMOS students receive job offers from top tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple and other Forbes 100 companies. For those pursuing academic careers, many secure tenure-track faculty positions at leading universities. Our research is not only advancing the disciplines of social computing and AI but also establishing COSMOS and 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as leaders in innovation.鈥�

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Agarwal鈥檚 paper, titled 鈥�,鈥� was recognized for its innovative use of artificial intelligence to reveal subtle patterns of bias and sentiment within digital video content. This is a pioneering contribution to the field of human-centered AI and media transparency, according to Agarwal.

The award-winning study tackled a growing concern in the digital age: how engagement-driven platforms like YouTube influence perception through algorithmic design and emotional framing. While previous studies relied on surface-level indicators, like video titles, descriptions, and engagement metrics, Agarwal鈥檚 team sought to understand the deeper emotional and narrative structure of content posted on the video platform.

To do this, the research leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to perform a multi-layered analysis of YouTube videos. The AI examined titles, descriptions, transcripts, and AI-generated summaries, uncovering how emotional tone and bias shift across these layers.

The findings were revealing. Sentiment became more positive and joyful as analysis moved deeper into the content, while expressions of anger and toxicity declined sharply. The study concluded that video titles, which are often optimized for engagement, tended to be the most provocative or toxic, while the underlying narratives were far more balanced and constructive.

鈥淭his research showcases how AI can be used to interpret not just data, but meaning,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淏y examining content holistically, we can identify discrepancies between what is presented on the surface and what the message truly conveys. That insight is crucial for creating more transparent and trustworthy digital environments.鈥�

The study, published in the IARIA Congress 2025 proceedings, represents a major step forward in the use of AI for media accountability and bias detection. By integrating sentiment, emotion, and toxicity analysis across multiple content layers, the research introduces a new framework for evaluating online media beyond superficial metrics.

The work鈥檚 implications extend well beyond YouTube. Its methodology can be applied across platforms to help developers, policymakers, and researchers better understand how algorithms shape user engagement and how those algorithms can be designed to promote fairness, accuracy, and context awareness.

鈥淯ltimately, our goal is to develop tools that help platforms and audiences distinguish between attention-grabbing rhetoric and authentic communication,鈥� Prof. Agarwal said. 鈥淭his kind of analysis moves us closer to AI systems that truly support informed decision-making.鈥�

This recognition adds to a growing list of international honors for Prof. Agarwal and COSMOS, whose interdisciplinary research combines computer science, behavioral analysis, and social impact. COSMOS has received support from numerous federal agencies and international partners for its work in algorithmic transparency, cognitive warfare, AI applications, and digital ethics.

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The research was led by , founding director of COSMOS Research Center and the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Endowed Chair and Donaghey Distinguished Professor of Information Science at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and included graduate research assistants Mayor Inna Gurung and Monoarul Bhuiyan. The study was supported through research grants funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Using AI-based computer vision tools, the researchers analyzed 3,097 Instagram images, quantifying symbolic content and measuring how visual and textual coherence affected engagement. Their results showed a clear pattern: posts with more symbolic elements and better alignment between captions and imagery saw significantly higher engagement rates. These posts also spread more quickly, a dynamic demonstrated through epidemiological modeling.

鈥淭his study underscores the importance of AI and multimodal analysis in understanding how online narratives evolve and spread,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淥ur findings show that symbolic content and narrative coherence aren鈥檛 just aesthetic choices鈥攖hey鈥檙e key factors that drive audience attention and influence.鈥�

Presented at the 58th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences () held in Hawaii, the study titled, 鈥�How does Semiotics Influence Social Media Engagement in Information Campaigns?鈥�, combines artificial intelligence and socio-computational modeling to examine the impact of visual symbols in multimedia-rich posts.

The team used state-of-the-art AI models, including large language models, to decode and classify visual symbols and measure how closely captions reflected image content. This approach made the research more scalable and efficient than traditional methods.

鈥淩esearch studies like this pave the way for innovation by showcasing the transformative potential of AI in deepening our understanding of visual narratives,鈥� Agarwal added. 鈥淢oreover, the socio-computational methodologies developed through this work provide powerful tools for evaluating the influence of multimedia-rich information campaigns and enhancing strategic communications.鈥�

The findings could have broad applications in areas such as public health, strategic communication, national security, and additional areas where information campaigns seek to reach, engage, and influence audiences online.

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鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to contribute to such a pivotal initiative,鈥� Agarwal remarked. 鈥淎rtificial intelligence holds immense potential to drive innovation and economic growth, but it also presents complex challenges. By working together, we can establish Arkansas as a leader in the responsible and forward-thinking adoption of AI technologies, setting a benchmark for the nation and the world.鈥�

Agarwal is a member of the AI & Analytics Center of Excellence (AI CoE), chaired by Arkansas Chief Data Officer Robert McGough, which was established as a subcommittee of the Data and Transparency Panel in June. The group will meet for one year to develop policies, guidelines, and best practices for the ethical and effective use of AI within state government.

鈥淣itin works in a global theater of operations through agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and NATO,鈥� said Bryan J. Barnhouse, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance, 鈥淗is contributions to protecting our nation鈥檚 鈥榙igital space鈥� makes him a perfect fit for the Governor’s AI Task Force and applying his expertise at home in Arkansas.鈥�

Additionally, the working group will evaluate pilot projects, such as unemployment insurance fraud detection and recidivism reduction, to craft safe implementation practices. The AI CoE will make their first report to Gov. Sanders in December on the projects鈥� impact on efficiency, cost savings, and economic development.

鈥淎I is already transforming the face of business in America, and Arkansas鈥� state government can鈥檛 get caught flat-footed,鈥� . 鈥淎s we work to find efficiencies within state government, AI can play a role, with appropriate guardrails, in improving our level of service to Arkansans while keeping costs low. At the same time, we must prevent the misuse of AI to protect Arkansans. This working group will build the knowledge base we need to achieve those goals safely.鈥�

Agarwal will collaborate with experts from various sectors to develop recommendations for the ethical and secure deployment of AI technologies in state operations. This initiative, part of a statewide effort to harness the potential of AI while addressing its risks, aims to guide policymakers on integrating AI in ways that enhance efficiency and innovation without compromising safety or privacy.

鈥淎s AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the need for robust privacy protections and ethical considerations in AI policy development is more critical than ever,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淎I systems often rely on vast amounts of personal data, raising significant concerns about data security, consent, and misuse. Without clear ethical guidelines, these technologies risk perpetuating biases, violating individual rights, and eroding public trust.鈥�

Agarwal emphasized that integrating privacy and ethics into AI policy is essential to ensuring that technological innovation aligns with core values like fairness, accountability, and transparency. This perspective underscores the importance of balancing progress in AI with the responsibility to safeguard societal trust and equity.

鈥淪uch policies must address issues like data ownership, algorithmic accountability, and the equitable distribution of AI benefits,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淏y embedding these principles into the foundation of AI governance, we can create systems that serve society responsibly, respect individual rights, and build public confidence in this transformative technology.鈥�

Agarwal brings a wealth of expertise to the table. He is an internationally renowned researcher whose pioneering work in the social computing discipline has significantly advanced this fledgling area and helped open many doors for innovation for the scientific community. He studies (deviant) behaviors, (mis/dis)information and influence campaigns, group dynamics, influence, trust, collective action, social-cyber forensics, health informatics, data mining, machine learning, AI, and privacy.

Since joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2009, Agarwal has brought in more than $20 million in funding for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock from sponsors like the U.S. Army Research Office, U.S. Office of Naval Research, U.S. Air Force Research Lab, U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, U.S. National Science Foundation, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

At 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Agarwal created the , which was designated as a research center by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education in 2020. COSMOS has produced three dozen projects, published 11 books and more than 300 publications, and three important tools: Blogtrackers, VTracker, and Focal Structure Analysis. COSMOS has assisted the Arkansas Attorney General鈥檚 Office track scams and disinformation related to COVID-19 that led to the development of .

Agarwal鈥檚 research aims to make our online and digital environments safer by combating adversarial or malicious use of AI and shoring up our nation’s cognitive defense and security apparatus. His research further examines the impact of AI and algorithms on society and marginalized communities – particularly algorithmic bias and polarization.

鈥淎I is advancing at an unprecedented pace, requiring a proactive and forward-thinking approach to policy development,鈥� Agarwal said. 鈥淲e must craft an effective AI policy framework that addresses emerging challenges while unlocking its vast potential in critical areas such as public safety, government applications, education and workforce development, and fostering public trust, literacy, and transparency.鈥�

The initiative reflects Arkansas鈥檚 commitment to staying ahead of technological advancements while safeguarding the public鈥檚 trust. Agarwal鈥檚 involvement highlights 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 role in contributing to critical state and national conversations on technology and governance.

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The ARA Project Scope Session with Prof. Agarwal, 鈥淗ow can we ensure that citizens aren’t manipulated by bad actors?鈥� will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2. The event is free and open to the public. Those who would like to attend .

Misinformation and disinformation are major concerns in the social media age for any year. Dr. Agarwal鈥檚 talk will discuss how a national election year is especially enticing to dark web entities looking to disrupt the polls, affect election outcomes, and, more importantly, impact our society.

As the founder and director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies () Research Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Prof. Agarwal鈥檚 research aims to push the boundaries of our understanding of digital and cyber social behaviors that emerge and evolve constantly in modern information and communication platforms.

The ARA Project Scope invites members of the ARA Academy of Scholars and Fellows to share their science in a presentation and discussion that shines a spotlight on the incredible research in Arkansas. The ARA Academy is made up of talented researchers from the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (糖心Vlog传媒MS), and the U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR).

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鈥淚 was really drawn to the research,鈥� Mbila-Uma said. 鈥淭hat is why I wanted to come here to study information science. I had family friends here in Arkansas, and they talked about how good the school is. Luckily, I got into the program and had the opportunity to work in the COSMOS Research Lab with Dr. Nitin Agarwal.鈥�

After earning her undergraduate degree in physics from Covenant University in Nigeria, Mbila-Uma moved to Arkansas in 2022 to earn her master鈥檚 degree in information science, where she said she has enjoyed every experience of living in America.

鈥淚t has been a very exciting experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 enjoyed my stay here in Arkansas and at this school. I loved meeting people of different backgrounds. I am excited to see what the world holds after graduation.鈥�

This semester Mbila-Uma was one of only 25 students from across the nation who received a New Face of Tech Scholarship from The 1,000 Dreams Fund. The organization funds scholarships for young women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fields and aims to empower students toward their greatest ambitions.

While at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Mbila-Uma conducted research at COSMOS as part of the Indo Pacific Team, which focused on tracking misinformation in blog posts. She had the opportunity to publish two papers from this research – 鈥淐onducting Morality and Emotion Analysis on Blog Discourse鈥� and 鈥淎nalyzing Blogs about Uyghur Discourse using Topic Induced Hyperlink Network.鈥�

鈥淐onducting research at COSMOS pushes you to your full potential,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t helped me grow and strengthen my skill set for the future. There is so much storytelling in research, and that helped me in my role as a business analyst. I need to draw information from data to help people make informed decisions.鈥�

After graduation, Mbila-Uma will be moving to San Diego, California, to work as a business system analyst at Intuit, an American multinational business software company that specializes in financial software. She received a full-time offer after working as an intern at the company last summer.

鈥淚 had a very interesting team that really wanted me to succeed,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey were there to help me at every point. I know Intuit will be a good place to grow my career.鈥�

The post From Nigeria to Arkansas: Stella Mbila-Uma’s Journey from COSMOS Research Center to a Bright Future in Tech appeared first on News.

鈥淚 had heard about COSMOS, and it was such a great opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ocial computing was a new perspective on an application of computer science. COSMOS research focuses on misinformation, toxicity, and the social media space. I knew I could apply that knowledge to make sure the lives of people on social media are protected. On the other hand, I also heard about the bioinformatics program, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with the amazing people in the field.鈥�

In 2022, Nwashili moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Science in Bioinformatics. She graduated during the spring semester with a perfect 4.o GPA at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, where she has experienced much personal growth during her graduate school experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed meeting with other international students and people from other parts of the world,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen it comes to merging schoolwork and research, this has been such a growth process for me. I never thought that I would research these areas. I have grown in terms of work and research and school and building core principles like hard work and resilience.鈥�

As a data research analyst at COSMOS, she has investigated the impact of bots on toxicity in X discussions about the South China Sea as well as analyzed COVID-19 discussions about Uyghur women on X, which led to new insights into the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

As a student researcher in the Center for Molecular Design and Development, Nwashili has been researching novel drug treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Her research aims to develop more effective ALS drugs by modifying existing drug molecules that have proven to be effective in previous research.

Nwashili presented this research at three conferences this spring, and she received the People鈥檚 Choice Poster Award after presenting her research at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Technical Research Exhibition in Atlanta.

鈥淚 had a really great experience presenting my research at NSBE,鈥� Nwashili said. 鈥淚t was my second time presenting at a conference, and it was fun to communicate with different people and share my research in a positive way. We received the People鈥檚 Choice Award, which is a huge highlight for me and puts our chapter on the map.鈥�

She credits Dr. Nitin Agarwal, director of COSMOS, Dr. Mary Yang, director of the Bioinformatics program, Dr. Jerry Darsey, director of the Center for Molecular Design and Development, and her fellow students in COSMOS for helping her be successful in obtaining her graduate degree. Now she is excited about taking the next step in her future.

鈥淚t feels good to come this far and see this as a milestone,鈥� Nwashili said. 鈥淭he entire journey of two years here is where the beauty lies. I am so grateful for the journey and how far I鈥檝e come. Graduation is a testament to that journey and everyone who helped me along the way. I am so excited about what the future holds. I know for a fact there are greater things to come, and it can only get better.鈥�

After graduation, Nwashili is looking forward to a career in biotechnology and pharmaceutics.

鈥淚 definitely want to contribute to a pharmaceutical company,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y research in drug discovery is dear to me, and being able to get that industry experience would be great for me.鈥�

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