# Ila Kumar: Innovating with communities

DevFeed: [Ila Kumar: Innovating with communities](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/ila-kumar-innovating-with-communities-37958.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://news.mit.edu/2026/ila-kumar-innovates-with-communities-0901>)

Author: Gitana Savage | MIT News correspondent

Published: 2026-09-01T04:00:00Z

Content type: news

Language: en

Sources: [MIT AI News](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/mit-ai-news.md>)

Topics: [digital](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/digital.md>), [context](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/context.md>)

Tags: [artificial-intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/artificial-intelligence.md>), [assistive-technology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/assistive-technology.md>), [child-welfare](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/child-welfare.md>), [communities](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/communities.md>), [digital](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/digital.md>), [engineering-systems](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering-systems.md>), [graduate-postdoctoral](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/graduate-postdoctoral.md>), [ila-kumar](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ila-kumar.md>), [lifelong-kindergarten](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/lifelong-kindergarten.md>), [media-lab](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/media-lab.md>), [mental-health](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mental-health.md>), [mit-graduate-students](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mit-graduate-students.md>), [profile](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/profile.md>), [psychology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/psychology.md>), [school-of-architecture-and-planning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/school-of-architecture-and-planning.md>), [students](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/students.md>), [tech-for-good](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tech-for-good.md>), [technology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/technology.md>), [technology-and-society](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/technology-and-society.md>)

## AI overview

MIT PhD student Ila Kumar researches community-based design, involving young people who have experienced childhood trauma in shaping digital technologies intended to support healing, connection, independence, and well-being.

## Source excerpt

The PhD student works to give young people an active role in shaping digital technologies that can support their own well-being.