The BIIT Lab
Rigorous Research.
Real-World Impact.
The Bodies, Identities, Intimacies, and Technologies (BIIT) Lab is a cross-disciplinary research community at the University of Michigan, co-led by Drs. Apryl Williams and Kyla Brathwaite. We bring together faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers from Communication and Media, Sociology, Digital Studies, the School of Information, and Psychology to study one core question…
Who gets to feel safe, seen, and desired in a world mediated by technology?
FEATURED IN...
Our Process
Define the Problem
We start by listening. Together, we identify the research questions, community needs, or design challenges at the heart of your work.
Build the Research
Our interdisciplinary team designs a rigorous, equity-centered research approach—whether that's focus groups, surveys, algorithmic audits, or something else entirely.
Translate the Findings
We don't hand over a report and walk away. We turn insights into frameworks, design recommendations, and actionable strategies built for real-world implementation.
Drive the Impact
From product launches to policy briefs, we help you take the work public. We make sure it reaches the people it's meant to serve.
FEATURED WORK
BIIT Lab x Feeld
Most dating apps tell you who to want. Reflections asks who you are. Built with the BIIT Lab at the University of Michigan, Feeld's research-backed, self-discovery tool was designed to help members explore identity, desire, and intimacy on their own terms.
Meet the Team
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Apryl Williams, P.h.D
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Dr. W is an award-winning sociologist, author, and professor studying race, gender, and algorithmic bias. Her work examines how technology shapes the lived Black experience—from online dating to AI-driven systems. -
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Kyla Brathwaite, P.h.D
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Dr. B is a quantitative researcher and professor exploring how race and gender shape interactions with technology and other users. She is published in leading journals, including New Media & Society and Social Media + Society. -
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Jasmine Banks
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE - PSYCHOLOGY
Jasmine studies how people find meaning, build identity, and navigate emotion in an increasingly algorithmic world. Her research spans online dating, digital culture, and AI ethics. -
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Mel Monier
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE - COMMUNICATION & MEDIA
Mel is a communication & media researcher studying digital labor, online dating, and self-representation. Their research spans race, embodiment, and trans identity across media using mixed methods. -
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Erykah Benson
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE - SOCIOLOGY
Erykah’s work centers on justice-focused AI and public attitudes toward technology adoption among Black entrepreneurs. She is passionate about translating research into equitable strategies that advance both innovation and social impact. -
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Janae Sayler
DOCTORAL CANDIDATE - PSYCHOLOGY
Janae examines the experiences of Black Americans in romantic relationships, with a focus on how racial discrimination influences relationship dynamics, health, and relationship maintenance. -
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Nailah Bowman
DOCTORAL STUDENT - COMMUNICATION & MEDIA
Nailah broadly studies the psychology of social media use, exploring how motivation shapes the way people seek and engage with visibility online. -
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Gabriel Paredes
UNDERGRADUATE - COMMUNICATION & MEDIA
Gabe is a designer and researcher studying race, queerness, and digital culture. He explores how dating apps shape desirability and identity among queer men of color. -
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Sophia Pessoa
UNDERGRADUATE - DATA SCIENCE
Sophia studies predictive modeling at the intersection of healthcare and finance, with hands-on experience at NIH and Progressive Insurance. She is focused on building equitable, bias-aware systems.
Get In Touch
Interested in partnering with the BIIT Lab, or just have questions about our work? Whether you're a technology company, academic institution, policymaker, or journalist, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch.