Sara Heitlinger

Sara Heitlinger is a Reader in Computer Science at City, University of London, where she co-directs the Centre for Human-Computer Interaction Design. She is also a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow on the Mosaic project, focusing on More-than-Human Sustainable and Inclusive Smart Cities. Her work bridges computer science, design, and urban sustainability, with a strong emphasis on participatory and creative methods.

Education:

• PhD in Media and Arts Technology, Queen Mary University of London
• MA in Creative Writing, University of East Anglia
• BSc in Computer Science, Hebrew University, Israel

Sara's research centers on participatory design and more-than-human perspectives in urban technology. She pioneers methods such as multispecies live action roleplay (LARP) to involve non-human stakeholders in co-envisioning sustainable urban futures. Her work critically engages with technologies like AI, blockchain, and networked sensors, aiming to shift smart city paradigms from top-down efficiency to inclusive, nature-based solutions.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in sustainable HCI, focusing on urban food systems, water policy, data justice, and ecological resilience. These works emphasize community collaboration, ethical design, and speculative futures, often involving interdisciplinary teams and non-traditional stakeholders.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Community Collaboration Award for Research, Queen Mary University of London (2017)
• UNESCO Digital Arts Award (2007)
• Honourable Mention Award Paper at CHI

Sara has successfully led multiple research projects as Principal Investigator, including those funded by EPSRC and Research England. She has supervised several PhD students and actively collaborates with institutions such as UCL, Newcastle University, Goldsmiths, and LSE. Her public engagement includes films and exhibitions that have toured internationally.

She is involved in leading research initiatives such as the More-than-Human Smart Urban Decision Making in Water Policy and the More-than-Human Data Interactions in the Smart City projects. She also serves on boards such as Spitalfields City Farm, reflecting her commitment to community-based urban sustainability.