Portfolio
Research
My research interests are threefold:
1) user research and engagement with information technology
2) artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, natural language processing, generative text, and modeling
3) enhancing business performance through data-driven design and development
My award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and presented at numerous prestigious conferences.
I actively collaborate on intriguing research projects related to UXR, generative text, machine learning, and AI, and provide guidance on design decisions.
Research interests
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, User Experience, Ethics Of AI, Human-Computer Interaction, Decision-Making, Digital Learning, Computational Linguistics, Information Behavior, Decision Making, Behavioral Economics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Content Strategy, Design Research, Computers and Society
Manuscripts in preparation (advanced stages)
1. Dvir, N., Friedman, E., Commuri, S., Yang, F., Romano, J. (under review). Predicting Information Engagement Using Computational Linguistics and Natural Language Processing (NLP)". Computers in Human Behavior
2. Dvir, N., Friedman, E., Commuri, S., Yang, F., Romano, J (under review). The Ways of Words: The Impact of Word Choice on Information Engagement and Decision Making. Decision Support Systems
3. Dvir, N., Friedman, E. What makes words stick? Predicting attention and engagement using cognitive biases and natural language processing. (Final editing, target submission: Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS))
4. Dvir, N., Friedman, E., Commuri, S., Yang, F., Romano, J. "Phrasing for Success: Optimizing Information Engagement Using Artificial Intelligence and Computational Linguistics". (Final editing, target submission: Information Systems Research journal, special issue on Analytical Creativity)
5. Dvir, N. Towards a Unified Understanding of Information Engagement: A Literature Review of Information Engagement in the Context of User Engagement and Information Behavior Theories. (Final editing, target submission: Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology JASIST)
6. Dvir, N. Teaching Information Technology and Product Design and development in MBA Programs: A Qualitative Exploration of Faculty and students Perspectives. (Analyzing data. Target submission: Journal of Management Education)
7. Dvir, N. Effective Strategies for Engaging and Motivating Students in Large STEM Courses. (Analyzing data. Target submission: Studies in Higher Education journal)
8. Dvir, N. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Through the Eyes of External and Internal Media Sources: A Comparative Study of Yediot Aharonot and The New York Times. (Analyzing data. Target submission: Political Communication journal)
9. Dvir, N., Friedman, E., Commuri, S., Yang, F., Romano, J. Development of the READ Model: Representativeness, Ease-of-Use, Affect and Distribution as Predictors of Information Engagement. (Collecting data. Target submission: MIS Quarterly)
Refereed articles and proceedings
1. Dvir, N. (2022). Sticky Words: A Computational Linguistics Approach to Assessment and Manipulation of Information Engagement - ProQuest [Doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Albany]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2753692156
2. Dvir, N. (2020). Process of information engagement: Integrating information behavior and user engagement. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 57(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.407
3. Dvir, N., & Gafni, R. (2019). Systematic improvement of user engagement with academic titles using computational linguistics. Proceedings of The Informing Science and Information Technology Education Conference, 501–512. https://doi.org/10/ggjhjw
4. Dvir, N. (2018). Sticky words: Evaluation and optimization of information interactions based on linguistic analysis. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 55(1), 797–798. https://doi.org/10.1002/pra2.2018.14505501121
5. Dvir, N., & Gafni, R. (2018). When less is more: Empirical study of the relation between consumer behavior and information sharing on commercial landing pages. Informing Science: The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline, 21, 019--039. https://doi.org/10.28945/4015
6. Gafni, R., & Dvir, N. (2018). How content volume on landing pages influences consumer behavior: Empirical evidence. Proceedings of the Informing Science and Information Technology Education Conference, La Verne, California, 035–053. https://doi.org/10.28945/4016
7. Dvir, N. (2018). What is user engagement? An interdisciplinary perspective on users’ interactions with information technology. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.26789.81122
8. Dvir, N. (2017). Mitigating challenges of open government data. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201712.0182.v1
Conference presentations and invited talks (* presenter)
1. Dvir, N.*, Commuri, S., Chengalur-Smith, S., Yang, F., Romano, J., Friedman, E. (2023, July). Does phrasing matter? Using generative text to improve information engagement and user experience. The 17th annual Israel Association for Information Systems (ILAIS) conference. Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Israel
2. Dvir, N.*, Commuri, S., Chengalur-Smith, S., Yang, F., Romano, J. (2021, July). What do users read? A predictive model of information engagement. The 15th annual Israel Association for Information Systems (ILAIS) conference. The Open University of Israel.
3. Dvir, N.* (2019, May). Using text analysis and computational linguistics to systematically evaluate and improve information interactions, user experience (UX), knowledge acquisition and decision making. The annual Informing Science and information technology education conference. Jerusalem, Israel.
4. Dvir, N.* (2019, May). What is user engagement? A suggested model for successful user interaction with digital information. The annual Informing Science and information technology education conference. Jerusalem, Israel.
5. Dvir, N.* (2018, December). Mark my words: Using linguistic analysis to evaluate and optimize information behavior and user experience. The International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS), San Francisco, CA
6. Dvir, N.* (2018, November). Sticky words: Evaluation and optimization of information interactions based on linguistic analysis. The annual meeting of the Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T), Vancouver, Canada
7. Dvir, N.* (2018, August). Conceiving a model for user engagement using linguistic analysis. The annual Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), New Orleans, LA
8. Dvir, N.* (2018, July). The engaged user: From participation to involvement. The University of Haifa, Israel
9. Dvir, N. * (2018, June). Less is more: An empirical investigation of the relationship between amount of digital content and user engagement. In User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) International Conference. Rio Mar, Puerto Rico
10. Gafni, R. & Dvir, N. (2018). How content volume on landing pages influences consumer behavior: empirical evidence. The annual Informing Science and information technology education conference, la Verne, California
11. Dvir, N.* (2018). Automatic development of engaging content using natural language processing techniques. New Trends in Information Studies conference (NTIR). Albany, NY
12. Dvir, N.* (2018, May). Teaching E-commerce to STEM students: Leveraging evidence from a large-scale survey. Presented at the Conference on Instruction & Technology (CIT), Cortland, New York.
13. Dvir, N.* (2017). Rules of engagement: A framework for online user engagement based on content strategy. The annual conference of the Israeli Association for Information Systems, Bar-Ilan University, Israel
14. Dvir, N.* and Buchan, K. (2016). Language-based method for systematic development of engaging content. New Trends in Information Studies conference (NTIR), Albany, NY
15. Dvir, N.* (2015). Suggested model for user engagement and online interactions with textual information. New Trends in Information Studies conference (NTIR), Albany, NY
Projects
At SUNY Albany Business School, I've developed expertise in research design, utilizing methods such as usability studies, contextual inquiry, and surveys. As a skilled communicator, I effectively convey user research findings and collaborate with cross-functional teams to make an impact. My research toolkit encompasses qualitative and quantitative methods, Python programming, natural language processing (NLP), and data analysis.
Ongoing research projects
Collaborative Industry Research Projects
I actively engage in partnerships with researchers, industry professionals, and designers, striving to deliver data-driven design strategies, predictive modeling, and informed decision-making for successful product development.
Through these collaborations, I contribute my knowledge and experience to foster innovation and enhance user experiences across various industries.
Teaching
As an educator, I teach large classes of 200+ students as well as smaller, more focused groups at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including MBA courses for mid-career professionals. My work involves guiding teams of researchers and implementing new design and AI strategies to enhance user experiences.
Instructor | Graduate level
1. Managing Information Technology (BITM 522), University at Albany, Spring 2022-2023
2. Field Study in Information Systems and Business Analytics (course development), University at Albany, Fall 2022
3. Digital Product Design (course development), Pratt Institute, New York, NY, Fall 2019
4. Content Strategy (course development), Pratt Institute, New York, NY, Fall 2019
Instructor | Undergraduate level
Business Analytics Practicum (course development), University at Albany, Fall 2021, Fall 2022
Improving Business Performance with Information Technologies (large class, 150+ students), University at Albany, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Case Studies in Digital Citizenship (course development), University at Albany, Fall 2021, Fall 2022
Special Topics in Research, Applied and Experiential Learning (course development), University at Albany, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 (online)
Current Technologies in Web Design (course development), SUNY online, Spring 2020 (online)
Programming for problem solving: Introduction to Python (course development), SUNY online, Fall 2020 (online), University at Albany, Fall 2017 (in person), Winter 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Winter 2022 (online)
Programming for Informatics: Advanced Python (course development), University at Albany, Spring 2017 (in person), Winter 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2021 (online)
User experience (UX) in e-commerce: Principles, methods and technologies (course development), Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Summer 2017 (in person), University at Albany, Summer 2018, Summer 2019 (online), Summer 2020 (online)
Research methods for Information Studies (course development), University at Albany, Spring 2018 (in person), Fall 2018, Spring 2019 (online)
Databases management and programming (course development), Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Summer 2017 (in person)