Jocelyn Scheirer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jocelyn Scheirer
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Scheirer in 2022
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| Born | December 6, 1967 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Tufts University (B.A. Brandeis University (M.A.) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D Candidate) MIT Media Lab |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Affective Computing Wearables |
| Institutions | MIT Media Lab, Ronin Institute |
Jocelyn Scheirer is an American inventor, scientist, and artist. She is known for her work with wearable technology and affective computing. Wearable technology means electronic devices you can wear, like smartwatches. Affective computing is about making computers understand and respond to human emotions.
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Her Journey in Education
Jocelyn Scheirer finished high school at Concord Academy in Massachusetts in 1985. She then went to Tufts University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and English Literature in 1989.
Later, she studied at Brandeis University. There, she got a Master's degree in Developmental and Social Psychology in 1996. From 1996 to 2001, she was a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Her Career and Inventions
Jocelyn Scheirer started her career as a research technician. She worked at the Tufts University School of Medicine from 1991 to 1994.
Working with Emotions and Tech
She then joined the Affective Computing Group at the MIT Media Lab. This group studies how computers can understand human feelings. Jocelyn worked on "affective objects." These are physical items that can record emotional information from a person. They can then share this information with the person or others nearby.
She published several important studies with Rosalind Picard. Rosalind Picard is the person who started the Affective Computing Research Group.
Jocelyn also worked briefly as a consultant for Sherry Turkle at MIT. She helped with research for a book called Alone Together from 2000 to 2001.
Starting New Companies
In 2006, Jocelyn Scheirer started her first company, Empathyx, Inc. This company aimed to sell a device called the Galvactivator.
Later, in 2009, she helped start another company called Affectiva. This company focused on "emotional analytics." This means they used technology to understand people's emotions. Jocelyn was the director of operations there until 2010.
Affectiva used a device called the Q Sensor. This sensor could measure things like stress and excitement in people. They used it along with facial recognition software. This helped them understand how people felt in focus groups. Affectiva later decided to focus only on their facial recognition software, called Affdex.
Helping Other Organizations
In 2015, Jocelyn was chosen to join the board of the MIT Enterprise Forum of New York City. She is also a research scholar at the Ronin Institute.
Her Art
Besides her science work, Jocelyn Scheirer is also an artist. She has created visual art and performance art pieces. These have been shown in several art galleries in Massachusetts.
Her Inventions and Patents
Jocelyn Scheirer holds a patent for an invention called "Sensing and Display of Skin Conductivity." This patent was issued on July 2, 2002. It describes a way to measure and show changes in skin conductivity. This can be a sign of emotional changes.
