The Socio-Technical Exploration of Wellbeing (STEW) Lab explores the complex interplay between people, technology, and mental health. Our research sits at the intersection of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Science and Technology Studies (STS), and digital mental health, with a focus on designing ethical and responsive mental health technologies. We view wellbeing as co-constructed—shaped not only by individual experience but also by broader systems, infrastructures, and communities. Mental health technologies do not exist in a vacuum; they are embedded in complex, political, and institutional systems. At STEW Lab, we examine how technologies can both support and complicate efforts to care for mental health within these broader socio-technical landscapes. Our approach is collaborative and interdisciplinary. We work closely with people with lived experience (PWLE), mental health professionals, and advocacy groups to co-create tools and frameworks grounded in real needs and values. Whether building mental health chatbots, analyzing AI-generated information, or examining how people navigate healthcare technologies, our goal is to center lived experience, community voices, and care at every stage.
Dong Whi Yoo, PhDDepartment of Human-Centered Computing
Indiana University Indianapolis
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Drawing on the concept of trajectory work from sociology and CSCW, this project investigates how people living with mental health conditions—as well as clinicians, peer supporters, and caregivers—navigate evolving experiences, shifting diagnoses, and complex treatment journeys. We explore how AI tools, such as chatbots and generative models, might support reflection, communication, and planning across these nonlinear paths—while also identifying where such technologies risk oversimplifying, misaligning, or distorting personal narratives. Through participatory design, qualitative inquiry, and ethical analysis, AI for Trajectory Work aims to inform the development of mental health technologies that are attuned to the temporal, relational, and deeply human dimensions of care.
Building on principles from cognitive behavioral therapy and grounded in the lived experiences of individuals with depression, this project explores how AI-powered chatbots can support self-management by providing informational support, emotional validation, and space for personal reflection. While these technologies offer promising opportunities for accessible and responsive mental health engagement, they also raise critical concerns around misinformation, emotional safety, and alignment with users’ values. Rather than positioning chatbots as substitutes for clinical care, the research investigates their role as everyday companions—tools that can offer nonjudgmental interaction and promote wellbeing. Through qualitative research, user studies, and iterative design, the project surfaces real-world risks, identifies potential harms, and informs the responsible development of AI systems that foster care, trust, and autonomy in mental health contexts.
To see a list of publications from the STEW Lab, please click here.
The STEW Lab is seeking 1–2 motivated students to join the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) PhD program starting in Fall 2026. We are especially interested in applicants with the following background and interests:
If you’re interested, please email Dong Whi (dy22@iu.edu) with a brief description of your relevant experience and research interests.
Are you an IU Indy undergraduate or master’s student interested in joining the STEW Lab?
Please read the Research section of this website to learn more about our work. If our research aligns with your interests, email Dong Whi (dy22@iu.edu) to express your interest and share a bit about your background.
