Reflections on the Value of HCI Research Training

Abstract: In this talk, I will present work from three of my PhD students who completed their studies during the summer of 2018: Judith Borghouts, Melanie Herrmann, and Jacob Rigby. Their research spans a range of topics: from designing effective data visualisations for domestic smart meters (Herrmann et al., 2018), to understanding contemporary TV viewing practices (Rigby et al., 2018), and implementing systems to better manage the constant onslaught of interruptions at work (Borghouts et al., 2018). During the talk, I shall reflect on the value of HCI research training, given its interdisciplinary nature and use of diverse and complementary methods: from conducting situated observational studies and controlled lab experiments to building and evaluating future interfaces.

Bio: Duncan Brumby is a Reader in Human-Computer Interaction at University College London (UCL). He received a PhD in Psychology from Cardiff University in 2005, before doing a two year post-doc in Computer Science at Drexel University. He has published more than 60 research articles, including 12 CHI Papers. His research has been supported by competitive research grants from the the EPSRC, EIT, and EC. He directs the HCI MSc programme at UCL, is Deputy Editor-in-Chief at the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, and is a Papers Subcommittee Chair for CHI 2019.