Human-centred computing

Human-centred computing (HCC) – or even more broadly, human-centred technology – is not just about user-centred design, but also about the relationship between technological developments and lifestyle transformations, and about how we record, collect and use information. Ubiquitous technologies are proliferating. The home, the crèche, public places and even the human body are now potential places to embed computational devices.

We investigate the past, present, and future relationships between people and technology, embracing new frameworks, methods and approaches for studying and supporting people using new interaction technologies, including mobile, ubiquitous and web-based computing technologies. We are interested in social and philosophical perspectives, as well as in practical and theoretical concerns. We consider how technologies in general integrate with and extend existing social systems.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

• Digital health
• Animal-computer interaction
• Mobile, tangible and ubiquitous interaction
• HCI and interaction design
• Digital and augmented cities
• Augmented reality and 3D virtual environments
• Self-quantification and life-logging
• E-commerce and e-government
• Design representations
• New media systems and emerging technologies
• Social computing and social networks
• Technologies and information in their social contexts
• Technology-enabled learning
• Computing and technology education

Current/recent research projects

• Polyfonia: Playing the soundtrack of our history – Simon Holland
• SERVICE: Social and Emotional Resilience for the Vulnerable Impacted by the COVID-19
• Emergency – Blaine Price and Daniel Gooch
• STRETCH: Socio-Technical Resilience for Enhancing Targeted Community Healthcare – Daniel Gooch and Blaine Price
• PainPad: supporting post-surgical care – Blaine Price
• Haptic Authoring Pipeline for the Production of Immersive Experiences – Simon Holland
• Dog Smart Homes: Improving Accessibility for Mobility Assistance Dogs – Clara Mancini
• Designing and testing Haptic Cueing Wearables for Gait Rehabilitation – Simon Holland
• Tangible Interactions for Privacy Awareness and Control in Ubiquitous Computing Environments – Daniel Gooch and Blaine Price
• eTextile and Touch-Based Interactions for Accessibility – Janet van der Linden

Potential supervisors

• Dr Daniel Gooch
• Professor Karen Kear (for computing and technology education enquiries)

Fees and funding

Some of our research students are funded via the EPSRC DTP and the STEM Faculty; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

• Interaction design 
• School of Computing and Communications
• Knowledge Media Institute
• Computing research across The Open University