Dr. Sonia Tiwari

I'm a children's media researcher exploring the role of characters as facilitators of young children's learning experiences. I’m based in the San Francisco Bay Area and open to research collaborations globally!🦋 PhD Learning, Design & Technology
🦋 MFA Character Animation
🦋 BS FilmDo you have a children’s character IP (picture book, TV show, movie, game, toy, tool etc) that needs research support? I can help with:🌼 research-informed feedback on character design and curriculum alignment
🌼 research-informed ethical considerations for designing AI characters (smart toys, tutors, character-themed devices and/or apps)
🌼 focus groups, play testing sessions, video observation sessions with children and families testing early concepts of your IP
🌼 surveys or diary studies assessing the impact of your work on children

• Linkedin

• Google Scholar

Research Spotlight

🦋 My research exploring creative augmentation was awarded Outstanding Design Case Award 2026 by AERA Design and Technology SIG for the article entitled "Designing expressive arts workshops for families using AI tools" published in the International Journal of Designs for Learning.🦋 My research exploring ethical design of AI characters was published in the AI, Brain, and Child journal and presented at MIT RAISE AI+Edu Summit. The framework is currently used by several edtech and children’s media startups in the AI+Edu space.

• Creative Augmentation

• Ethical AI Character Design

Podcast Spotlight

Listen to some podcast episodes exploring the research around children’s media characters and the evolution of AI characters

• Children & Screens

• EdTech Insiders

• AI for Kids

• The Engagement Architect

• My EdTech Life

• The Education Innovators Podcast

• Wide Walls

• With AI

• Children’s Media Association

• SHIELD AI safety

Research Collaboration Wishlist

Interested in co-authoring an article, book chapter, or conference presentation? Get in touch via Linkedin! I'm most interested in research about the following topics:

• AI Characters for Education

• Creative Augmentation

• AI & Kids' Creativity

• AI Tools for Education

Community Partnerships

Need someone to host a creative workshop inspired by children’s media? I can help! I love working with children and families in informal learning spaces such as museums, makerspaces, and libraries. I also love working with graduate students in Design, CS, Media, and Education programs.

• AI for Kids Creativity

• Glimpses of my Art Show

• Joyful Learning Dashboard

• Girl Scouts Gaming Badge Activity

Bio

Dr. Sonia Tiwari is a Children's Media Researcher exploring the role of characters as facilitators of children's creative learning experiences. With a background as a character designer in the gaming industry, and a PhD in Learning, Design and Technology - she combines interdisciplinary perspectives on visual design, Human-computer interaction, and education. Her research on ethical design of AI characters for education has been presented at UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, UPenn, National Geographic Society, EveryoneAI, KidsAI, and UNICEF Communities of Practice, among other venues.