Stephen Goggin

I am working in Dr. Michael Byrne’s Computer-Human Interaction Laboratory in the Psychology Department at Rice. In his lab, we are studying the usability and accessibility of voting systems that are currently in use across the country. As part of the grant funding ACCURATE (A Center for Correct, Usable, Reliable, Auditable, and Transparent Elections), we are running experiments studying the accuracy and usability of many common voting systems in use, such as lever machines, punch ballots, and paper ballots of all types. In addition, I am currently examining a database of error reports that was generated from the 2004 elections, and trying to construct a usable taxonomy of the errors. This research will help us understand how many voting problems occur, and make recommendations regarding the voting systems in use.

I am currently a freshman at Rice and a member of Jones College. I am originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where I attended Hattiesburg High School. In high school, I was captain of the debate and mock trial teams at my school, and I graduated as salutatorian of my class.

At Rice, I am majoring in both Political Science and Psychology. I have always been interested in political processes and their study, and more recently I have become interested in the many applications of psychology within the political realm. Working in Dr. Byrne’s lab has given me the opportunity to study voting systems in-depth and be a part of the forefront of research in this area. I am still somewhat undecided about my plans after Rice, although I will most likely attend either law school or graduate school in psychology or political science.

In my free time, I enjoy playing intramural sports, including both soccer and ultimate Frisbee. I enjoy relaxing, playing video games, and reading the news. I participate on the Rice Mock Trial team, and I am a member of the Student Admissions Committee.

The Century Scholars Programs is one of the main reasons I chose to attend Rice for my undergraduate education. It has allowed me to get involved first-hand in current and important research. The experience of work closely with a professor and graduate students in the lab has been extremely valuable and rewarding, as I have always enjoyed conducting meaningful research. Participating in the Century Scholars Program has helped me make important decisions about my course of study, and has been extremely rewarding.