About Leah

Justin, Leah, and Pip, on Leah and Justin's wedding day. Justin wears an olive suit, Leah wears a white lace dress, and Pip wears a black bowtie. All are smiling at the camera in a wooded, outdoor area.

Leah Spalding is an Assistant Professor of User Experience Design at Western Kentucky University. Her work explores the intersection of UX design and citizen science, as well as best practices for teaching generative AI effectively and ethically. With a background in public service and outreach, she brings a community-focused perspective to UX, advocating for inclusive and impactful design.

Leah’s research interests center on the social, cultural, and ethical implications of emerging media technologies and their influence on individuals and society. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Georgia as an inaugural alumna of the Emerging Media Masters program. Before joining WKU, she taught full-time at UGA’s New Media Institute.

When she’s not at her computer, you can find her hanging out with her human counterpart, Justin, and her corgi Pixel (better known as Pip).