Graduate student and games user researcher.
I am a Master of Science in Information student at the University of Michigan. There, I am working on my thesis on user experience research in gaming advised by Dr. Kishonna Gray. I am also a Summer Graduate UX Research Intern at the University of Utah Division of Games as part of their Quantitative Experience Design Lab. After I earn my degree, I plan to pursue a career in user research for interactive media.
Additionally, I have four years of research experience at the Indiana University Institute on Disability and Community, where I worked as a Project Coordinator on research with disabled and other marginalized populations in Indiana.
My scholarship focuses on the emotional aspects of narrative design in interactive media. I take an interdisciplinary approach combining information science, psychology, and narrative theory to better understand the joy, sorrow, and frustration people feel when playing video games. I am passionate about tying accessibility into all the work that I do: video games should be accessible to everyone and anyone!
Please stick around and check out my research portfolio and resume!
Amanda Nayes Resume Updated 4.24.25 Public.pdf