How to Contact Us

Here's a few sentences on how to contact people related to this project. Use a spam-proof email address format where possible.

Questions You Might Have

Q: How can I find out more about the project ...

A: Whenever possible, we try to publish details about our work for the public. We try to list all of these on the AC Publications page, although for some reason we tend to be slow to update things there. Older papers can be found on the (somewhat more searchable) old Vision and Modeling Tech-report database available at The Vismod TR webpage. If you are a Media Lab Sponsor then you also have access to the much better maintained, up-to-date sponsor website pages . Sponsors also have access to all our pre-publication work.

Q: Do you have any postdoc/visiting faculty openings?

A: Almost never. Our group receives around fifty of these requests a year and accepts about one every 2-3 years. We are perpetually crunched for space, which makes it especially unlikely. Please do not expect a personalized response if you make such a request.

Q: How do I get to be a graduate student or research assistant in your group?

A: First, get into MIT. Most of our students come from Media Arts and Sciences , Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, or Mechanical Engineering, although we are open to students from any department. We do occasionally accept students from non-technical backgrounds (e.g. psychology/cog sci) as long as you are willing to learn to hack and build things (software or hardware). (We don't just "do studies.") You have to apply individually to each department at MIT that you might want to work in. Admissions information can guide you to the information for each department.

It is advisable to learn about our latest research before you fill out your application, ideally by downloading publications or readings, and by contacting those students working on the projects that interest you most. Prof. Picard rarely accepts more than one new student a year. It is wise to target several areas of interest in your admissions application, to increase your chances of getting into MIT, and then once you are at MIT or in the Media Lab, you will find there are few walls.

Prof. Picard personally goes through the applications to Media Arts and Sciences that mention Affective Computing, so list this area if you want to be considered. If you make the "short-list" of admits, then she will probably follow up with you by phone or by arranging a face-to-face meeting before admissions decisions are made.

We wish we had the resources to engage in email dialogue or otherwise interact with all applicants, their families, and others who email us on your behalf. Please do not expect us to respond to you individually and answer your questions about why you were not admitted, if that is the case. We wish we had more time and staff to help handle emails, so we ask for your patience and understanding if your requests are not answered personally. Many more outstanding people apply than we can admit, so a rejection does not imply anything negative about your talent or ability. Sometimes people try repeatedly and get in on a later attempt. The Media Lab admissions office can often be of help if you have questions about the process.

Q: Where can I buy galvactivators ? How much do they cost? ...

A: We do not have a manufacturer for these, but made them in house. Thus they are not for sale, and we only have a limited number for sponsors. However, we get so many requests for them that if you want to start a company to make them, then we would be willing to talk further with you.

Q: What are the best signals to measure if you want to recognize a person's response to [humor, anger, joy, etc.].

A: There is no simple answer to this; it is an active research question. "Best" is always with respect to some criteria: recognition accuracy, comfort and ease of sensing in a given situation, respect for user's privacy concerns, and more. For several examples, look at our list of publications.

Q: Who is developing technology in line with your interests for commercial use? When will it be available, and how much will it cost?

A: Research at the MIT Media Lab is funded by sponsoring corporations, governments, and generous individuals. Our group shares ideas and prototypes with these companies, and they take some of the more successful ideas into development. Although Prof. Picard works outside MIT as a consultant and some of our graduates go to work on development efforts, MIT does not get involved in the development, scheduling, and pricing issues that are ultimately a part of turning a prototype into a product.

Q: Have you produced any products?

A: The MIT Media Lab is not in the business of making products, but we do work with many companies who make products. We have been told that we inspired or otherwise influenced products, such as Hasbro/iRobot's My Real Baby. (The development effort for this product was led by Jonathan Klein, an alumnus of our group.)

Q: Can I interview you or your students?

A: All press/interview/media requests are handled by the Media Lab Press Office. Please contact Alexandra Kahn via the Lab's Contact Us Form or call her at 617-253-0365, and her office will handle it from there.