PhD Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Xiayu “Summer” Chen at the Intersection of Aging and Technology

Xiayu “Summer” Chen, PhD, MSW, Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida, reflects on how her experience at the University of Illinois School of Social Work shaped her research and professional path. Drawing from her frontline work during the COVID-19 pandemic, she discusses her focus on digital equity among aging populations and highlights the importance of addressing barriers faced by marginalized communities. Chen also shares how she integrates social justice into her research, teaching, and mentorship, and offers advice to students on building meaningful, practice-informed careers in social work.

How did your experience at the University of Illinois School of Social Work shape your professional journey, and in what ways did it prepare you for your current role?

My time at the University of Illinois School of Social Work played a critical role in shaping both my research agenda and my professional identity as a scholar. Before pursuing my PhD, I worked as a social worker at a cancer center in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, many services rapidly moved online—family meetings happened on tablets, counseling sessions shifted to telehealth, and support groups became virtual. However, many of the older patients I worked with struggled to access these services because of limited digital skills or unstable internet access. That experience made me realize that technology can either expand care or deepen existing inequalities.

At Illinois, I was able to turn those practice experiences into a research program. With mentorship from faculty in the School of Social Work, I learned how to conduct research both independently and collaboratively. My doctoral training allowed me to engage with academic knowledge across campus, connect with interdisciplinary research teams, and develop my ideas with strong intellectual and financial support. These experiences prepared me for my current role as a faculty member, where I continue to combine practice-informed questions with research.

In your work today, how do you continue to carry forward the School of Social Work’s commitment to equity and social justice?

In my current role as an Assistant Professor, I carry forward Illinois’ commitment to equity and social justice through research, teaching, and mentorship. My research focuses on digital equity in aging, particularly among immigrant and racial/ethnic minority populations. For example, I have conducted qualitative interviews with older Chinese immigrants to understand how they perceive artificial intelligence and what kinds of digital tools could realistically support aging in place.

Many participants shared that while they are curious about technologies like virtual assistants or chatbots, they often face barriers such as language accessibility, digital literacy, and trust. These findings help inform the design of culturally responsive interventions that connect them with resources.

In the classroom, I bring these real-world issues into discussions with students. I encourage them to think critically about how policies, technologies, and service systems affect different communities. My goal is to help students see that social workers play an important role not only in direct practice but also in shaping more equitable systems and innovations.

What advice would you offer to current students who hope to build a meaningful and impactful career in social work?

One piece of advice I often share is to stay grounded in real-world experiences while remaining open to new ideas. Some of the most meaningful research questions come directly from practice settings. In my case, the seeds of my research were planted while working with older patients who could not access telehealth during the pandemic.

I also encourage students to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration. Social problems are complex and cannot be solved by one discipline alone—working with colleagues across fields can open new pathways for impact.

Finally, social work is fundamentally about people. Whether you pursue clinical practice, research, or policy work, staying connected to the lived experiences of communities will keep your work meaningful and relevant.