Skyler Austen

Skyler Austen

PhD Student in Computer Science

Brown University šŸ»

About Me

View my C.V.

I am a passionate researcher in cybersecurity education and formal methods, and I am deeply grateful to be co-advised by Kathi Fisler and Shriram Krishnamurthi. As a member of the Brown PLT, I work on designing interactive learning systems and formal models to help both novices and professionals engage more effectively with computing concepts.

I am especially passionate about broadening participation in computer science through novel teaching methodologies and tools. I have had the privilege of working with teachers and students across my home state of Arkansas, striving to improve computing education in rural communities.

Outside of the lab, you can often find me camping, square dancing, or playing guitarā€”making sounds some might generously call music. I also enjoy Western-style horseback riding and occasionally compete in cow sorting competitions.

Interests

Interactive Learning Systems
Cybersecurity Education
Formal Methods Education
Gamified Learning

Education

PhD in Computer Science

Brown University (Expected 2028)

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Cybersecurity

University of Central Arkansas (2022)

Publications

A Stakeholder-based Framework to Highlight Tensions when Implementing Privacy Features

J. Netter, T. Nelson, S. Austen, E. Lau, C. Rusch, M. Schwarzkopf, and K. Fisler - USENIX Security 2025

Improving the Educational Efficacy of Beginner-friendly Cybersecurity Competitions

S. Austen and S. R. Addison - SIGCSE Technical Symposium 2023

Let the Games Begin: Studying the Educational Efficacy of Cybersecurity Competitions

Undergraduate Thesis - Norbert O. Schedler 2022

Teaching Experience

Arkansas Coding Academy

Instructor for an eight-week Python Bootcamp

University of Central Arkansas

Co-teacher & teaching assistant, and tutor for various courses

National Cyber Teaching Academy

TA for various cybersecurity courses