Sidney D’Mello is a Professor in the Institute of Cognitive Science and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research lies at the intersection of the cognitive, affective, computing, and learning sciences. Specific interests include affective computing, attentional computing, intelligent learning environments, speech and language processing, human-computer interaction and computational models of cognition.

D’Mello conducts basic research on affective and cognitive states (e.g., confusion, boredom, mind wandering) during complex learning and problem solving, develops real-time computational models of these states, and integrates these models in learning environments that intelligently respond to learners’ mental states. He is interested in studying how beliefs about agency (e.g., self-efficacy and mindset) and behavioral dispositions (e.g., self-control, diligence) influence how students regulate emotions and behavior during learning. He develops web-based performance tasks that enable researchers to measure non-cognitive competencies quickly, reliably, inexpensively, and at scale.

D’Mello holds a doctorate in computer science and master’s degree in mathematical sciences from University of Memphis, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Christian Brothers University.