‘Computer science is a transparent thread that binds disciplines together’: Faculty member in CSSE presents ideas at international forum
Published: Dec 3, 2025 2:35 PM
By Joe McAdory
Daniela Marghitu believes computer science can help shape a more equitable, sustainable and connected world.
“Whether you are building an artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered learning companion, designing accessible educational tools, or developing systems that help people make better decisions, computer science is about serving as a universal connector between people, ideas and problems from any field,” said Marghitu, director of Auburn University’s Laboratory for Education and Assistive Technology and faculty within the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. “Computer science is a transparent thread that binds these disciplines together.”
Marghitu recently shared her vision as a panelist at “Reforming the Culture of Inclusion in Science for Sustainable Development Goals,” an international online forum co-hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Marghitu, appointed this past summer to the Alabama Governor’s Advisory Council for Computer Science Education, emphasized her belief that rethinking how students experience computing is essential to preparing future global problem-solvers.
“For me, it means designing environments where students don’t just hear ideas, but they also see, touch, build and even move through them,” she said. “Here are few examples from my own teaching and research… learners physically interact with robots, programming them, observing sensor feedback and experiencing cause-and-effect in real time. Students begin to understand algorithms not as abstract code, but as behaviors unfolding in space.
“In artificial intelligence and virtual reality, multi-sensoriality takes the form of immersive simulations that blend visual, auditory and sometimes haptic feedback. Whether navigating a virtual greenhouse or engaging with an intelligent avatar, students learn by doing, not just reading. Concepts like machine perception, reinforcement learning or sensor fusion become tangible when learners can visualize data streams, manipulate environments, or see an AI agent respond dynamically.”
Marghitu highlighted barriers that prevent many students from entering and thriving in technology fields, including limited exposure to computing, lack of representation and narrow cultural examples.
“When universities make students’ belonging a priority, through representation, culturally responsive teaching and accessible pathways into research, technology becomes a field where talent, not background, defines opportunity,” she said.
Marghitu called on universities and policymakers to embed multi-sensorial approaches into STEM education worldwide.
“Students require empathy, intuition, cross-disciplinary awareness and the ability to interpret complex systems through more than just sight and numbers,” she said. “I believe that this shift is not just an enhancement to STEM education, but a necessary evolution for building a generation of problem-solvers equipped for a rapidly changing world.”
Marghitu also believes the impact of computer science extends beyond education.
“Computing provides the foundation for trust and fairness in institutions,” she said, pointing to digital identity systems, open data platforms and environmental monitoring tools as examples of how computer science strengthens transparency and stability. “Innovations in intelligent agriculture, climate modeling and renewable energy management help us reduce waste, conserve energy and make informed choices that protect the planet.
“If we agree that science is the universal language that helps us understand the world, then I see computer science as the bridge that translates complex ideas into forms that anyone can access.”
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
Daniela Marghitu recently shared her vision as a panelist at “Reforming the Culture of Inclusion in Science for Sustainable Development Goals,” an international online forum co-hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
