Portrait of Shamsi Iqbal

Shamsi Iqbal

Principal Applied and Data Science Manager

About

I am a Principal Applied and Data Science Manager in the Viva Insights team in the Microsoft Data Platform and Growth org. My primary research expertise is in the area of Attention Management for Multitasking Domains. My work is motivated by the vision of transforming the field of productivity research in response to the changing technology landscape to help organizations and people thrive with data and research backed process enablement that lead to desired outcomes. Currently I am focusing on how productivity is defined in the new era of hybrid work, introducing novel ways of being productive while also prioritizing wellbeing needs and determining metrics for evaluating productivity and engagement at work. I am also a Program co-Director in the Individual Productivity and Wellbeing program in Microsoft’s New Future of Work initiative where we are actively pursuing new trends in how people can bring their best selves to work and manage their personal and professional growth, how organizations can thrive while prioritizing the needs of their employees and how we can influence new societal trends that are powered through a balance of human and machine intelligence.

I received a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008. I received a Masters in Computer Science from the same university in 2005 and a Bachelors in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2001.

Research Interests

My primary interest is in helping humans improve productivity in environments where many demands on their attention present conflicting challenges. I am currently working on addressing multitasking problems in domains where people have to divide attention among many tasks and maintain performance while being  at the same time.

Background

I completed my Ph.D. in Computer Science in 2008, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, supervised by Professor Brian Bailey. I earned a Masters degree in Computer Science from the same institution in 2005 and a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 2001.