Prospective Big Ideas applicants and current teams are encouraged to schedule a 1-on-1 advising appointment with a Big Ideas advisor. To learn more about the advisors and their areas of expertise, check out the Big Ideas team page. We strongly recommend you sign up in advance as advising hours can be very busy, and fill up as the Contest deadline approaches!
Sarah Barrington is a PhD candidate in Information & Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley, where she specializes in generative AI & deepfake analysis. She is part of Professor Hany Farid’s internationally-recognized digital forensics lab, and holds multiple cybersecurity scholar and fellow positions across campus. Her work has been featured at the Nobel Prize Summit, discussed at the White House and on NPR, recognized by the United Nations, and published in Nature Scientific Reports among other academic venues. She holds 2 master’s degrees from the University of Cambridge and Berkeley. Prior to Berkeley, Sarah was an Engineer and Data Scientist at McLaren Formula 1, founded two start-ups, and was awarded a UK-US Fulbright Scholarship to represent the UK as a postgraduate scholar.
I’m a third-year student at UC Berkeley studying Environmental Economics & Policy and Global Studies. I’m originally from Pontianak, a small city in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
I’m especially interested in poverty alleviation, education access, and development. I founded Gebrasi Pontianak, a social movement focused on building access to books and libraries for children in underserved communities. I also co-founded StudiLanjut.id, an education startup that helps Indonesian students and schools access information, mentorship, and opportunities for studying abroad.
Interest areas for advising:
I’m a third-year double majoring in Legal Studies and Media Studies, with minors in Public Policy and Journalism. I’m interested in tech policy, entrepreneurship, media, research, and how the law shapes the way information and technology reach people. I’ve also interned in finance, and I’d love to help anyone exploring how those skills connect to law, policy, or starting a business. Feel free to reach out about anything at the intersection of law, tech, and media!
If you can’t make it to any of the pre-scheduled advising appointment times and would like to reserve a time, please email us at bigideas@berkeley.edu and we’ll schedule another time to meet with you!
