Rate My Professor Lucy Simko

Lucy Simko is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Barnard College, Columbia University. She earned her PhD in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Washington in 2022, advised by Tadayoshi Kohno. Prior to joining Barnard, Simko served as a postdoctoral research scientist at George Washington University, collaborating with Adam Aviv and Yasemin Acar. Her academic background equips her to bridge computer security with human-centered perspectives.

Simko's research in usable security examines how people, particularly under-served or marginalized populations, use computer security and privacy mechanisms, including their needs, experiences, mental models, and vulnerabilities. This work intersects computer security and human-computer interaction, with publications in top venues such as IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (Oakland), USENIX Security, ACM CCS, CHI, CSCW, PETS, and IDC. Key publications include "Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions: Community-Developed Techniques for Online Exam Proctoring Evasion" (ACM CCS 2024, with Adryana Hutchinson et al.), "Exploring Digital Security and Privacy in Relative Poverty in Germany Through Qualitative Interviews" (USENIX Security 2024, with Anastassija Kostan et al.), "Security, Privacy, and Data-Sharing Concerns and Trade-Offs When Moving to the United States" (IEEE S&P 2024, with Harshini Sri Ramulu et al.), "It's been lovely watching you": Institutional Decision-Making on Online Proctoring Software (IEEE S&P 2025, with Elisa Shioji et al.), "Beyond 'Vulnerable Populations': A Unified Understanding of Vulnerability From A Socio-Ecological Perspective" (CSCW 2025, with Xinru Tang et al.), and "From A to Zines: Narrative Threat Modeling in Reproductive Health Media" (CHI 2026, with Cora Sula et al.). Earlier works cover defensive technology use by Sudanese activists (IEEE S&P 2021), refugee security needs (IEEE S&P 2018), and COVID-19 contact tracing privacy (Digital Threats: Research and Practice 2021). Her dissertation, "Humans and Vulnerability During Times of Change," was completed in 2022. Simko received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and is co-recipient of an NSF SaTC grant. Her scholarship informs security practices for groups facing geopolitical shifts, disasters, and marginalization.