Syracuse University · EECS

Innovation in Computing,
AI, Responsibility
& Education

The ICARE Lab investigates how we can design more inclusive, effective, and innovative computing education experiences — preparing the next generation of computing professionals.

81+
Publications
$1M+
Total Funding
300+
Undergrads in Research
440+
RESET Attendees
1,156
Citations
CS Education AI in Learning Broadening Participation Accessible Computing Undergraduate Research Computing Degree Pathways Human Centric Computing Structured TA Mentoring

Our Mission

The ICARE Lab is directed by Dr. Farzana Rahman, Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University. Our work sits at the intersection of computing education research, AI-enhanced learning, and human inclusive STEM education — building evidence-based tools and practices that make computing education and research more accessible and inclusive for all learners.

🎓

Innovative Pedagogy

Designing and evaluating evidence-based teaching strategies — active learning, POGIL, flipped classrooms — to reduce DFW rates in gateway CS courses.

🤖

AI in Computing Education

Investigating the role of LLMs and AI pedagogical agents in student learning, including GenAI tool use by undergraduate TAs.

♿

Accessible Computing

Developing experiential labs and curricula for accessible software development, integrating WCAG and inclusive design into CS courses.

🌍

Broadening Participation

Creating pathways for women, returning professionals, and systemically excluded students to enter and thrive in computing and STEM careers.

🔬

Undergraduate Research

Exposing undergraduates to the full research cycle — from problem formulation to publication — through immersive year-long programs like RESORC.

🏫

K–12 & Community Outreach

Expanding the computing workforce pipeline through workshops, hands-on training, and teacher professional development programs in Central New York and beyond.

Lab Director

Dr. Farzana Rahman

Dr. Farzana Rahman

Associate Teaching Professor, Dept. of EECS, Syracuse University

IEEE Region One Outstanding Teaching Award 2025 · Chancellor's Citation for Excellence 2025 · Meredith Teaching Recognition Award 2024

farahman.github.io →

Dr. Rahman has over 12 years of experience in computing education research, with 81+ peer-reviewed publications in ACM SIGCSE, IEEE FIE, ASEE, ACM TOCE, and IEEE RESPECT. Her research is funded by NSF, Google Research, Google TensorFlow, NCWIT, Access Computing, and STARS Computing Corps. She serves as Associate Editor of ACM Transactions on Computing Education (TOCE) and Program Co-Chair of ACM SIGCSE 2025 and 2026.

Research Projects

Active and recent funded research initiatives from the ICARE Lab.

NSF Funded

RESET Conference

Re-Enter STEM through Emerging Technology

A national NSF-funded conference identifying re-entry pathways for women with career breaks to transition into emerging technology academic and industry pipelines. The inaugural RESET '21 conference hosted 440+ attendees and 38 speakers across 38 technical sessions.

2020–2022PI: Rahman
Visit RESET Site →
Google Funded

RESORC

Research Exposure in Socially Relevant Computing

A year-long immersive undergraduate research engagement program in the EECS department, exposing students to the full computing research cycle — from literature review to oral presentation. Focuses on women and historically underrepresented groups. 300+ students engaged since 2021.

2021–2023PI: Rahman
Visit RESORC Site →
Google Funded

The Inclusion Triangle

Cultivating Next Generation Computing Researchers through Teaching, Mentoring, and Undergraduate Research

A new Google Research-funded initiative designed to systematically cultivate diversity in computing through three interconnected pillars: inclusive classroom pedagogy, structured mentoring for underrepresented students, and undergraduate research engagement.

2025–2027PI: Rahman
NSF Funded

CS4ALL — Central New York

Supporting High School Computing Teachers with Accessible Learning Labs

Collaborative NSF CSforAll project with RIT expanding access to next-generation computing education for high school students across Central New York. Addresses challenges faced by educators in teaching rapidly evolving topics — AI, ML, cybersecurity, and algorithmic bias.

2026–2029Co-PI: Rahman
NSF Funded

Accessible Learning Labs

Experiential Accessible Learning Labs for Promoting Inclusive Software Development

Collaborative NSF project with RIT developing hands-on experiential laboratories teaching accessible and responsible software development. Students learn WCAG guidelines, color blindness simulation, localization, and assistive technology integration through project-based learning.

2024–2029Co-PI at SU
Ongoing Research

Role of AI Tech & GenAI in Computing Education

LLMs, AI Agents, and ChatGPT in Undergraduate CS Learning

Investigating how generative AI tools — including ChatGPT, LLM-enhanced error messages, and AI pedagogical agents — shape student learning, TA effectiveness, and course outcomes in introductory and upper-level CS courses. Exploring both benefits and risks of AI adoption in computing classrooms.

Recent work examines ChatGPT use strategies by undergraduate TAs in large CS2 courses (SIGCSE 2025), and the impact of AI on learning outcomes in intro computing (ASEE StLawrenece and ACM ITiCSE).

2026–2029ACM ITiCSE 2026
NCWIT Funded

SU-ASCENT

Aspiring Students in Computing & Engineering Network

NCWIT-funded program building a network of aspiring students in computing and engineering at Syracuse University, creating community, mentoring, and professional development pathways for underrepresented students.

2020–ongoingPI: Rahman
NSF Co-PI

Blockchain Security Education

SaTC EDU: Instructional Laboratories for Blockchain Security

Collaborative NSF SaTC EDU project developing instructional lab modules for blockchain security applications, creating hands-on curricula for undergraduate and graduate students in cybersecurity education.

2021–2025Co-PI

Lab Members

Current students and collaborators.

Dr. Farzana Rahman

Dr. Farzana Rahman — PI

Associate Teaching Professor, Dept. of EECS, Syracuse University

farahman.github.io →

Current Students

CL

Daniel Han

BS CS · SU

AIED Technology

CL

Tamar Shuster

BS CS · SU

AI Education

CL

Carla Lopez

MS Software Eng · RIT

Accessible computing education

ET

Ursula Parker

Undergrad · RIT

Accessibility in SE education

Collaborators

DK

Dr. Daniel Krutz

Associate Professor · RIT

Accessible Learning Labs

EB

Dr. Elodie Billionniere

Professor · MDC

Computing Education

SL

Dr. Stephanie Lunn

Assistant Professor · FIU

Computing and AI Education

EH

Dr. Endadul Hoque

Assistant Professor · SU

Cybersecurity Education and Accessible Learning

LB

Dr. Lina Battestilli

Teaching Professor · NCSU

Computing Education and TA Training

Publications

81+ peer-reviewed publications · 1,156 citations · h-index 16 · i10-index 33

🎓 Google Scholar 📚 DBLP Profile
2026 — To Appear
  • Rahman, F., Krutz, D., Liu, Y. Designing for All: Lessons from Teaching Accessibility with AI Agents in a Software Engineering Course. ASEE 2026
  • Rahman, F., Boyina, R., Han, D. Bridging Human Trust and Smart Technology: Understanding User Perceptions of AI-Enabled IoT Devices. HCI International 2026
  • Rahman, F., Krutz, D. Fostering Accessible Design Skills with AI-Agents and Experiential Learning in Software Engineering Education. PosterACM SIGCSE 2026
  • Parker, U., Malachowsky, S., Rahman, F., Krutz, D. Teaching Responsible Computing Using the Accessible Learning Labs. PosterACM SIGCSE 2026
2025
  • Zhang, X., Rahman, F., Kim, B. Exploring the role of peer code review and debugging in learning object-oriented programming. ASEE 2025
  • Rahman, F. Examining Undergraduate Computing Majors' Awareness and Perception on the Gender Gap in Computing Research Careers. EDULEARN 2025
  • Moses, H., Trapatsos, E., Rahman, F., Malachowsky, S., Krutz, D. Presenting Computing Accessibility Education Using Experiential Labs. ACM SIGCSE 2025
  • Rahman, F. Shaping the next generation of computing researchers through a year-long immersive undergraduate research experience in socially relevant computing. Poster/LightningACM SIGCSE 2025
  • Rahman, F. Leveraging or Limiting: Strategies and Implications of ChatGPT Use by Undergraduate TAs in Large CS2 Courses. Lightning TalkACM SIGCSE 2025
  • Lopez, C., Malachowsky, S., Rahman, F., Krutz, D. Supporting Experiential Computing Education With the Accessible Learning Labs. PosterCCSC NE 2025
2024
  • Rahman, F., Boyina, R. Analyzing IoT and smart device usage trend by adult population in USA. ASEE 2024
2023
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Shashidhara, S.S. Identifying Effective Re-entry Pathways for Returning Women to Transition into Computing and Tech Education and Workforce. IEEE FIE 2023
2022
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Shashidhara, S.S. NSF RESET: A Conference to Support Returning Women's Transition to Computing. ASEE 2022🏆 Best Diversity Paper
  • Billionniere, E., Rahman, F. Women of Color in Emerging Technology: Breaking Down the Barriers. ASEE 2022
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Subhedar, V. Diversifying the Face of Computing through Re-entry Initiatives for Returning Women. PosterACM SIGCSE 2022
  • Billionniere, E., Rahman, F. Reskilling and Upskilling Women in Emerging Technologies for the Future of Work. SITE 2022
2021
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E. Re-Entering Computing through Emerging Technology: Current State and Special Issue Introduction. JournalACM TOCE, v.21
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Marshall, B., Seo, H., Forman, T. Debugging the Diversity Tech's Gap through (Re-)entry Initiatives in Emerging Technologies for Women. ACM SIGCSE 2021
  • Rahman, F., Tyagi, J. Investigating the Role of Different Prep Pathways on CS2 Performance Across Three Different Majors. ACM SIGITE 2021
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Gates, A.Q., Stukes, F. Equipping and Empowering Faculty through Professional Development to Create a Future-Ready Workforce. ACM SIGITE 2021
2020 & Earlier (Selected)
  • Rahman, F. Understanding Barriers and Motivations of Non-Traditional Students Learning Programming in an Online CS1 Course. ACM SIGITE 2020
  • Rahman, F., Solis, T. Transforming the Learning Experience of Non-Traditional Students in an Online CS1 Course through Peer-Instruction. ACM SIGCSE 2020
  • Rahman, F., Billionniere, E., Brown, Q., Gates, A.Q. RESET: Finding Re-Entry Pathways for Women in STEM. ACM SIGCSE 2020
  • Rahman, F., Hoque, M.E., Ahamed, S.I. AnonPri: A secure anonymous private authentication protocol for RFID systems. JournalElsevier Info. Sciences, 2017
  • Rahman, F., Bhuiyan, M.Z.A., Ahamed, S.I. A privacy preserving framework for RFID based healthcare systems. JournalFuture Gen. Comp. Syst., 2017
  • Akter, S., Rahman, F., Al Islam, A.B.M.A. Securing app distribution process of iOS exploiting the notion of authentic update. IEEE NSysS 2016🏆 Best Paper
  • Rahman, F., Ahamed, S.I. I am not a goldfish in a bowl: A Privacy Preserving Framework for RFID based Healthcare Systems. IEEE Healthcom 2012🏆 Best Paper

For the complete list of 81+ publications, visit Google Scholar or DBLP.