Bongshin Lee

Biography:

After 17 years at Microsoft Research in Redmond, USA, Bongshin Lee joined Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea as a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering in March 2024. Her research focuses on data visualization, human-computer interaction, and human-data interaction, with the overarching goal to empower people to achieve their goals by leveraging data, visualization, and technological advancements. Lee currently serves as Chair of the IEEE VGTC (Visualization and Graphics Technical Community) and has held numerous leadership roles in the visualization and HCI communities. She served on the Visualization Executive Committee (VEC) for VIS and the Steering Committee for ISS, and was General Co-Chair for ISS 2019 and PacificVis 2017. She also served as Papers Co-Chair for CHI 2025, Overall Papers Co-Chair for VIS 2021 and 2022, and Papers Co-Chair for InfoVis 2015 and 2016. Lee received the IEEE VGTC Visualization Technical Achievement Award in 2024 and was inducted into the IEEE Visualization Academy in 2020. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park.

Title:

Reimagining Data Graphics for More Expressive and Engaging Communication

Abstract

Data visualization has long been a powerful medium for telling compelling, data-driven stories. In particular, data graphics engage audiences through their expressiveness and aesthetic appeal. However, creating such graphics remains out of reach for most people, as achieving expressiveness while maintaining data accuracy requires significant expertise, time, and effort. In this talk, I will present several projects aimed at empowering people to easily create expressive data graphics and visualizations without programming. I will also explore research opportunities to reimagine data graphics as a more compelling medium for communication and to enhance the accessibility of their authoring by incorporating techniques from computer graphics and leveraging recent advances in AI.