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Sidney D’Mello is a Professor at the Institute of Cognitive Science and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder (since 2017). He was previously an Associate Professor in Psychology and Computer Science at Notre Dame (2012-2017). He received his PhD in Computer Science at the University of Memphis in 2009.

D'Mello has published more than 400 articles, of which 18 received awards (9 others were finalists). He directs the NSF National Institute for Student-Agent Teaming (iSAT) and a Learning Engineering Virtual Institute (LEVI) called Hybrid Human-Agent Tutoring (HAT) Platform to Accelerate Middle School Math Achievement for Low Income Students. D'Mello is Associate Editor of journals Cognitive Science and Discourse Processes.

CV

Research

D'Mello's research is at the intersection of the cognitive, affective, computing, and learning sciences. His team is interested in the dynamic interplay between cognition and emotion while individuals and groups engage in complex real-world tasks. The team applies insights gleaned from this basic research program to develop intelligent technologies that help people achieve to their fullest potential by coordinating what they think and feel with what they know and do.

This research uses a range of techniques such as eye tracking, speech and language processing, physiological sensing, computer vision, time series analyses, discourse modeling, and machine learning. The interaction contexts include educational games, collaborative problem solving, classroom discourse, computerized reading, and workplace activities. Data is collected in the lab, online, in schools, and the workplace.

Join the team

We’re looking for PhD students who are interested in exploring how minds understand • learn • feel • collaborate. See Lab page for more details

Join us is you are:

Passionate about advancing cognitive science
Experienced in research, motivated, enthusiastic & persistent

NSF National Institute for Student-Agent Teaming (iSAT)

iSAT's vision for student-AI teaming and classroom orchestration. An AI-partner collaborates with student teams and helps teachers orchestrate collaborative learning in their classrooms.

D'Mello directs iSAT, which aims to develop AI technologies to facilitate rich socio-collaborative learning experiences for all students by blending foundational AI and use-inspired research with responsible innovation, broadening participation, workforce development, & community engagement. iSAT integrates approximately 100 researchers, associates, and students from more than 10 nationally-distributed universities and partner organizations.

learning engineering virtual institute (levi)

CU + Saga Education

Using learning engineering methods, the project aims to rapidly transform tutoring from a one-on-one, human or technical solution to a multi-party, socio-technical solution that blends what humans and computers do best.

The Hybrid Human-AI Tutoring (HAT) platform leverages AI models, evidence-based frameworks, and human relationships to make novice tutors exceptional at a reduced cost.

We are excited to partner with Saga Education, a large non-profit provider of tutoring services to Title 1 schools.

updates

outreach & service

D'Mello enjoys organizing international conferences, most recently the 2025 Winter Text & Discourse Conference and previously the 2018 ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction in Boulder CO (ICMI 2018) and the 2011 Affective Computing & Intelligent Interaction (ACII 2011) conference in Memphis, TN.

He is an Associate Editor for Cognitive Science and Discourse Processes. He just completed a second tour of duty as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. He was formerly an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, PLoS ONE, and IEEE Access. He also serves on the Editorial Board of Affective Science.

D'Mello serve(d) on the Executive Board of the International Artificial Intelligence in Education Society, the International Educational Data Mining Society, and the Association for the Advancement of Affective Computing.