University of Southern California
USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  
 

Research and Publications

Edison in Lab

Research

Dr. Albright's research focuses on the social aspects of technology, including the Internet, social media, plastic surgery and emerging energy technologies.

She was recently honored with the Hugo G. Beigel Award, named for the outstanding research report of the year, published in the Journal of Sex Research, and won as Co-PI a $121 million grant from the Dept of Energy for a Smart Grid Demonstration project.

She currently has an active research agenda specifically focused on: 

The Social Implications of Emerging Energy Technologies: The Smart Grid

This line of research focuses on the identification and development of emerging energy -related information technologies related to the Smart Grid; The aim is to identify the social and behavioral determinants essential for successful adoption of Smart Grid technologies and improved energy efficiency.

Plastic Surgery, Body Image and Media :

She's completed and published work on plastic surgery attitudes and body image among college student viewers of TV makeover shows.

The Social Implications of the Internet :

Dr. Albright work has focused on the social impacts of the Internet; She was among the first to present and publish articles in this area, most recently looking at the social impacts of Web 2.0 and social networking, cell phones and other communication- related technologies.

She has been working as a Research Associate with eharmony for the past four years, and has helped develop a flirting instrument for the site. She has published the largest study ever done on sex and relationships on the Internet (Based on a collaboration with Elle Magazine and MSNBC.com) n 2008, and has an article currently in review on flirting and gendered courtship scripts online.

She is has a second article in review based on a quantitative content analysis of 2500 personal ads nationwide of men seeking sex with men online, looking at sexual identity, masculinity, race, relationship and HIV statuses relevent to HIV/AIDS interventions.

 

Funding

Grants Won:

Co-PI : Department of Energy – Smart Grid demonstration project.

Amount: $121 million

  • LADWP Contract; Albright - Co -PI; University Lead, Social and Behavioral Studies Project Initiative.
  • Donald Paul, Co-PI, USC. Viterbi School, ITS, UCLA, JPL also participating.
  • Submitted August 26, 2009. Funding period: 1/ 2010 -1/2015.

Grants Pending:

Senior Faculty:

  • National Science Foundation – Smart Sustainable Buildings: Dynamic and Behavioral Systems for Design and Lifestyle.
  • Estimated Award: $2 million.
  • Co – PI with Burcin Becerik-Gerber, Ramesh Govindan, Si-Zhao Quin and David Gerber. 
Submitted October 8, 2009.  Funding Period: 4 year award commencing Summer 2010