Aloha May Ambe

Aloha May Ambe is a Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with a focus on co-design methodologies for aging populations and IoT technologies. She holds a PhD from QUT (2020) titled From monitoring to engagement: Co-designing future technologies with older adults. Her research bridges technology design, gerontology, and participatory practices, emphasizing ethical and inclusive approaches.

Research Interests
Ms. Ambe’s work centers on designing technologies with older adults through participatory frameworks. She explores IoT toolkits (e.g., the ‘IoT un-kit’), AR for creative expression, and AI-driven healthcare systems. Her studies address critical gaps in accessibility, resistance to technological colonization, and fostering resilience in marginalized groups. Key themes include aging in place, slow technology movements, and narrative-based design.

Publications Trends
Her articles span ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, Communications of the ACM, and top-tier conferences like CHI and DIS. Recent work examines AI-human teaming in radiology, AR for creative aging, and postcolonial critiques of technology design. Earlier studies focus on IoT toolkits for elders and longitudinal smart home projects like the ‘Messaging Kettle’.

Labs & Collaborations
She collaborates with the Design Participation Lab at QUT, co-lead by Margot Brereton and Alessandro Soro. This lab explores social IoT systems and participatory design frameworks. Her partnerships include projects on future care with older adults and mental health technologies during lockdowns.