Professor Judy Kay is a leading academic in Computer Science at the University of Sydney, holding a Chair in Human-Centred Technology Research within the Faculty of Engineering and IT. Her work focuses on designing personalized systems that empower users to control their data, particularly in lifelong learning and health contexts. She leads the Human Centred Technology Research Cluster and is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education (IJAIED). Education: Studied at the University of Sydney, inspired to pursue academia due to its multidisciplinary environment and student collaboration opportunities. Research interests include user modeling, scrutable AI systems, and interfaces for personal informatics. Current projects span virtual reality learning environments, health data dashboards, and ethical AI transparency. Her work has led to commercialized technologies like the Personis system. Publications include over 200 peer-reviewed works in top venues like CHI, UbiComp, and AIED conferences. Awards highlight her contributions to computing education and AIED, including the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Advises 4 current PhD/Master’s students focusing on topics like Open Learner Models in VR and health decision-making tools. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across computer science, health sciences, and education. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups in the School of Computer Science and collaborates with the Charles Perkins Centre on health-related projects.
Florian 'Floyd' Mueller is a Professor of Future Interfaces at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he directs the award-winning Exertion Games Lab within the Department of Human-Centred Computing (ranked among the top 20 HCI departments globally). Previously, he held positions at RMIT University, Stanford, University of Melbourne, Microsoft Research, MIT Media Lab, Fuji-Xerox Palo Alto Labs, Xerox Parc, and Australia's CSIRO. Mueller is a member of the prestigious ACM SIGCHI Academy, an honorary group recognizing leaders who have made substantial contributions to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Professor Mueller's research focuses on the intersections between technology, the human body, and play. He originated the concept of "Exertion Interface," arguing that we should not just design "easy-to-use" interactions when "hard-to-use" interactions can also be beneficial. His work spans movement-based interactions, whole-body interfaces, uncomfortable interactions, somaesthetics, and exertion games. Mueller's research methodology often employs research through design, design ethnography, and autoethnography to explore these novel interaction paradigms, incorporating mixed-reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, electronic muscle stimulation, biosensors, wearables, and drones. His recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on bodily interactions and human-computer integration, with particular emphasis on emerging subfields like WaterHCI and SportsHCI, brain-computer interfaces, and gustosonic (taste and sound) experiences. Mueller's work has evolved from foundational exertion game concepts to more sophisticated explorations of human-computer integration where technology becomes seamlessly woven into the fabric of human experience. Professor Mueller's contributions have been widely recognized with numerous awards including: Inaugural honouree of the Australian Design Centre's Design Honours Tall Poppy award for "intellectual and scientific excellence" 10 "Best Paper Honorable Mentions" (top 5%) from premier HCI conferences 2 "Best Paper" awards (top 1%) at CHI PLAY and CHI Shortlisted for the European Innovation Games Award (alongside Nintendo's WiiFit) Nokia Mindtrek Ubimedia Award Mueller has successfully secured some of Australia's largest and most competitive research grants, achieving a remarkable 14% success rate on Australian Research Council Discovery Project applications. He has served as General co-Chair for CHI PLAY'18 and CHI'20, becoming the first Australian-based researcher to spearhead HCI's highest-ranked publication outlet, and is currently General co-Chair for CHI'24. He is Associate Editor for tier A journals including Elsevier's IJHCS (International Journal of Human-Computer Studies) and ACM's IMWUT (Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies). As director of the Exertion Games Lab, Mueller leads a research team whose innovations have been experienced by over 20,000 users across 3 continents and featured on the BBC, ABC, Discovery Science Channel, and Wired magazine. The lab has produced groundbreaking work in bodily interfaces, co-founding the CHI PLAY conference series and establishing new research directions in SportsHCI and WaterHCI through recent "Grand Challenges" papers. Mueller's lab continues to push boundaries with projects exploring brain-to-brain interfaces, lucid dreaming induction, and novel gustosonic experiences.
Dr. Thilina Halloluwa is a Teaching Focused Lecturer in the Department of Human-Centred Computing at The University of Queensland (UQ). He holds a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from Queensland University of Technology (2019) and a Computer Science undergraduate degree from the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. With over 15 years of academic and industry experience, his research emphasizes real-world impact in education technology, financial inclusion, smart agriculture, and HCI. Educational Background: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Queensland University of Technology (2019) Bachelor of Computer Science, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Research Interests: Education for All: Leveraging technology to enhance collaborative learning and social experiences in education. Human Money Interaction: Designing ethical AI solutions for financial services, particularly for underserved communities. Smart Agro: Developing AI-driven tools for crop disease detection, yield optimization, and precision agriculture. Software Project Estimation: Improving effort estimation accuracy through explainable AI (Metrix project). Key Contributions: Developed UrbanAgro (tomato disease detection) and BellCrop (bell pepper disease datasets). Pioneered Dhana Labha , a financial management tool for rural Sri Lankan communities. Advanced online exam proctoring systems for low-resource settings. Previous Roles: Lecturer at University of Sydney (2023) Senior Lecturer at University of Colombo (2013–2023) Lab/Team Affiliations: Smart Agro Project: AI-driven agricultural solutions Metrix Initiative: Software project estimation frameworks
Professor Eduardo Velloso is an academic staff member at the School of Computer Science , University of Sydney . He is a member of the Centre for AI Trust and Governance and holds a PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Teaches COMP4447/5047 - Pervasive Computing and INFO1111 - Computing Professionalism Research Interests focus on distributed collaboration in mixed reality , human-AI interaction , and HCI theory and methodology . His work integrates Engineering, Design, and Psychology to explore gaze interaction, adaptive agents, and multimodal interfaces. Key projects include Blended Whiteboard for remote MR collaboration and GazeGrip for mobile accessibility. Publication Trends show expertise in Virtual Reality , Mixed Reality , and Human-AI Interaction , with recent work on Algorithmic Recourse and Immersive Educational Tools . Awards include ACM Best Paper Awards at CHI, UIST, TOCHI, and DIS venues. Scientific Awards 2024 ACM CHI & DIS Honorable Mentions 2022 UoM-FEIT Teaching & Learning Award 2019 UoM-CIS Excellence in Research Award 2015 ACM UIST Best Paper Award Advising includes supervision of research students Marvin, Tinghui LI, and Wendi YU in projects on asynchronous MR collaboration , situationally-induced impairments , and physical environment integration . His lab explores AI-assisted interaction and context-aware computing through projects like SpinalLog and LiftSmart .
Dr. Sungyong Ahn is a Lecturer in Digital Media and Cultures at the School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, and an affiliate of the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies. His research focuses on digital ontology, new materialism, and speculative (capitalist) realism, examining how smart technologies reshape human perception and governance. He holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Education: Bachelor of Philosophy (Yonsei University), Master of Film and Television (Chung-Ang University), PhD in Media Studies (UIUC). His research investigates the interplay between technology, capitalism, and cultural production, particularly through the lens of the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum physics as cultural imagination, and French philosophy (Foucault, Deleuze, Badiou). Recent work includes analyzing IoT’s role in self-governance and the ontological anxieties of digital existence. Publications span journals like Media Theory , Journal of Cultural Economy , and Postmodern Culture . He is the author of Internet-ontologies-Things: Smart Objects, Hidden Problems, and Their Symmetries (2023). Available for supervision in media studies, digital cultures, and science/technology studies. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including the Centre for Digital Cultures & Societies.
Zhanna Sarsenbayeva is a Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of Sydney. Previously, she held a Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Ubiquitous Computing, Accessibility, and Affective Computing. She earned a PhD in Engineering from the University of Melbourne, an MSc in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Oulu, and a BSc in Computer Science from University College London. Research Interests: Dr. Sarsenbayeva explores how technology can enhance accessibility, improve emotion recognition in mobile contexts, and address situational impairments. Her work spans wearable sensors, mobile health applications, and ethical AI methodologies. Awards & Honors: 2022–2023: Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme 2021: CIS ECR Grant 2020: Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Fellowship 2019: Gaetano Borriello Outstanding Student Award Advising & Grants: She currently supervises five PhD students researching topics like mixed reality collaboration and emotion recognition. Her grants include projects on accessibility standards and fairness in AI. International Collaborations: Engages with researchers at Aalborg University (Denmark), University of Oulu (Finland), and LMU Munich (Germany) on interdisciplinary projects.
Dr Bernd Ploderer is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he conducts research in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), focusing on health, wellbeing, and human-centred computing. He leads the Digital Wellbeing Lab and is actively involved in multiple Australian Competitive Grant-funded projects, including those on generative AI for self-care, tangible intergenerational interaction, and children's active play. Education: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (University of Melbourne, 2011), MA in Communications (University of Salzburg, 2007), BSc (Hons) in Information Systems (FH Joanneum Graz, 2003) Previous Positions: Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne (2011–2015) Professional Recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (QUT, 2017) Dr Ploderer’s research centers on designing interactive technologies that support personal and social wellbeing, with a strong emphasis on user-centered and co-design methods. His work spans domains such as digital self-care , mobile health , generative AI , tangible and embodied interaction , and intergenerational and child play . He has developed innovative educational methods in HCI, notably the ‘working field theories for design’ approach, which received an Honorable Mention at CHI 2021. His recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a growing interest in AI-mediated self-care, nature-connected technologies, and inclusive design for diverse populations including teens, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. These works appear in top-tier venues such as CHI , DIS , and Personal and Ubiquitous Computing . Dr Ploderer has received several awards, including: QUT Vice Chancellor's Performance Award (2016) PCHF Innovation Grant (2018) Metro North Hospital and Health Service Link Grant (2017) Honorable Mention at CHI 2021 Associate Chair for Health Subcommittee at CHI 2022 He is actively involved in research supervision, currently mentoring PhD and Honours students on topics such as conversational agents for music education, mental wellbeing for international students, and relational technologies for dementia care. He has supervised numerous completed PhD and Masters theses, often in collaboration with Professor Margot Brereton and other QUT researchers. Dr Ploderer also contributes to research ethics and integrity within his school and serves on committees for CHI and CHISIG. His lab, the Digital Wellbeing Lab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration focused on creating technology that enhances social, mental, and physical wellbeing.
Dr. Chuan Khoo is a Lecturer in the Department of Design at Monash University, specializing in interaction design, digital media, and physical computing. He holds a PhD from RMIT University and an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. His work explores the dual edges of technology through projects like Touchstone (interactive public art) and Lumogram , which interrogate the relationship between humans and digital systems. Khoo’s research focuses on 'slow data'—design perspectives that critically engage with digital augmentation. He has exhibited internationally and developed tools like the mote mini , an IoT microcontroller for design students. His academic roles include teaching at RMIT and heading the Interaction Design program at Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. Key projects include When Echoes Find Light (2019), an interactive public bench installation, and Slow Data in the Age of Digital Things , his PhD work critiquing tech velocity. He co-designed the Alfred Health Universal Design Principles project (2024) and received a 2024 DIA Award shortlist for Lumogram . Khoo maintains Technologies for Interactivity , an open-source resource for physical computing, and collaborates globally on projects blending art, tech, and critical design.
Flora Salim is a Professor in the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University. She serves as co-Deputy Director of the RMIT Centre for Information Discovery and Data Analytics (CIDDA) and an Associate Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Automated Decision Making and Society. Her research focuses on human behavior modeling, machine learning with time-series and spatio-temporal data, and edge AI applications in IoT and wearables. Flora has secured over $10M in research funding from ARC, industry partners, and government bodies. Notable awards include the 2021 PACM IMWUT Distinguished Paper Award, 2019 Humboldt-Bayer Fellowship, and RMIT's 2018 Research Impact Award. She leads the CRUISE research group and has held visiting professorships at the University of Kassel and University of Cambridge. Editorial roles: Associate Editor of PACM on IMWUT, Area Editor of Pervasive and Mobile Computing Steering Committee member of ACM UbiComp Her work bridges ubiquitous computing and machine learning, with applications in urban analytics, mobility, and health monitoring. Recent projects include self-supervised learning for multimodal data and forecasting with heterogeneous time-series. Supervision areas: Deep learning for sensor data, explainable AI, and wearable-based emotion sensing Teaching programs: Master of Artificial Intelligence and Master of Data Science
Luke Heemsbergen is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at Deakin University's School of Communication and Creative Arts and the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation. His research explores the intersection of digital technologies and societal power structures, focusing on how emerging media reshape political communication, human-computer interaction, and cultural practices. He co-leads the Immersive Realities Theme at Deakin Motion Lab and coordinates the Critical Digital Interfaces and Infrastructures research group. Research interests include: Digital media's role in political engagement and activism Augmented/extended reality as tools for environmental and health communication Algorithmic governance in institutional contexts Critical approaches to synthetic media and AI creativity His recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on platform politics, with 9/15 articles analyzing social media's role in elections, activism, and misinformation. Methodologically, he employs innovative digital approaches like 'backend-in' platform analysis and multimodal data visualization. Thematically, articles cluster around: 1) Pandemic technologies and surveillance, 2) Algorithmic management in institutions, and 3) Immersive media design. Supervision includes 8 doctoral students working on projects like embodied human-machine interfaces, EdTech supply chains, and surveillance law reform. Funded projects include: Defining Communication in a Digital Era (ACCAN grant) Techno-Totalitarianism vs. Disruptive Technologies (Gerda Henkel Stiftung) VR Wayfinding Visitor Experience Model (ID Laboratory)
Dr. Kit Yan Chan is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences (EECMS) at Curtin University. His research focuses on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Optimization, with applications in wireless communications, signal processing, and power systems. He has held editorial roles in journals such as Neurocomputing, Sensors, and the International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computing. His teaching spans courses like Transmission and Interface Design, Advanced Research in AI, and Mobile Cloud Computing. Dr. Chan's work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining computational intelligence with engineering challenges. He has contributed to over 100 publications in areas such as resource allocation in heterogeneous networks, deep learning for load forecasting, and underwater acoustic communication systems. His research bridges theoretical advancements and practical implementations, addressing real-world problems in telecommunications, energy systems, and smart technologies. His recent projects include optimizing energy efficiency in 5G networks, developing robust power control strategies, and advancing neural network architectures for real-time applications. Collaborations with industry and global institutions underscore his commitment to impactful research.
Dr. Callum Parker is a Lecturer in Interaction Design at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. His research focuses on designing interactive urban interfaces to enhance urban dwellers’ experiences through smart city technologies like AR/VR, robotics, and public displays. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney (Design Lab) and a Bachelor of Computing from the University of Tasmania. His work spans projects such as Urban Interfaces Lab , exploring technologies to improve community engagement and urban resilience. Notable grants include 'Advancing Crisis Resilience in Southeast Asia' (2024) and 'Shared-space interactions between people and autonomous vehicles' (2022). He teaches courses like Designing for Virtual Reality and Interactive Product Design . Research interests include autonomous vehicle-pedestrian interaction, inclusive metaverse design, and scalable AR solutions. His projects like Pop-spot and AR Tree Trimming Awareness Game demonstrate applied HCI in public spaces. Current work emphasizes participatory design for sustainable development goals and accessible technologies.
Professor Carol Hsu is a leading academic in the Discipline of Business Information Systems at the University of Sydney Business School . Holding a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the London School of Economics, she has held academic positions at institutions including City University of Hong Kong, National Taiwan University, and Tongji University. Research Focus: Institutional influences on information systems, digital transformation, and information security management. Editorial Roles: Senior Editor at MIS Quarterly , Journal of Strategic Information Systems , and Information & Management . Professional Leadership: Vice President of Communications for the Association of Information Systems. Her recent research explores: Smart technology applications for aging populations Employee behavior in cybersecurity contexts Zero trust security models Digital resilience during crises like the pandemic Methodologically, she specializes in qualitative approaches and action research, with publications in top-tier journals like MIS Quarterly , Information Systems Research , and Journal of the Association for Information Systems . Key Grants: 2023: 'Cracking the Code: Unraveling Conversational Smishing Attacks' (Ignition Grant) 2022: 'Combating Smishing: Theorizing and Designing Intervention Strategies' (Business School Pilot Grant)
Professor Ami Eidels is a Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She specializes in cognitive psychology with a focus on information processing models, cognitive workload, and human-machine interaction. Her research bridges theoretical cognitive science with applied settings, particularly in defense and industry contexts. Professor Eidels completed her PhD in Cognitive Psychology at Tel Aviv University under the supervision of Professor Daniel Algom. She then pursued post-doctoral training in Mathematical Psychology at Indiana University with Professor James Townsend before joining the faculty at the University of Newcastle. Her research program centers on understanding how humans process and combine information from multiple sources, with particular emphasis on how cognitive workload affects processing efficiency and system capacity. Professor Eidels and her team conduct laboratory experiments, develop cognitive models, and apply systems factorial technology to analyze human performance. A significant portion of her recent work focuses on human-human and human-bot team performance, examining how collaboration and competition affect cognitive efficiency in team settings. Her approach integrates cognitive modeling with machine learning techniques to scale up traditional laboratory findings to more complex, real-world scenarios. Analysis of Professor Eidels' recent publications reveals a strong focus on cognitive workload measurement and human-machine interaction. Her work demonstrates consistent application of systems factorial technology across diverse domains including visual search, numeral recognition, team performance, and interface design. A notable trend is the expansion of cognitive modeling approaches to examine team dynamics, particularly how humans interact with AI systems. Her research increasingly addresses practical applications in areas such as aviation safety, user interface design, and cognitive assessment in neurodevelopmental conditions. Professor Eidels actively supervises students and collaborates with researchers across disciplines. Her work with defense and industry partners indicates applied research with real-world implications for system design and human performance optimization. While specific grant details are not provided in the available information, her extensive publication record and collaborative projects suggest significant research funding support. Her laboratory work encompasses both traditional cognitive experiments and innovative applications of cognitive science to practical problems. The integration of cognitive modeling with real-world applications represents a distinctive feature of her research program, allowing theoretical insights to inform practical solutions for human performance challenges.
Associate Professor Rachel Fitzgerald serves as Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland. Internationally recognized for her expertise in Technology-Enhanced Learning, she specializes in AI-driven pedagogy, micro-credentials, and the future of higher education. Her qualifications include a PhD from Lancaster University and a Master's in Computer Science from Northampton University. Her research explores digital transformation in organizations, hybrid learning ecosystems, and policy frameworks for contemporary education. Fitzgerald spearheads initiatives on workplace learning, AI integration in curricula, and cross-institutional educational partnerships globally. Her recent publications focus on generative AI in academia, virtual university models, and student-staff co-creation of learning experiences. Thematic analysis reveals strong emphasis on equitable access in distance education, ethical AI implementation, and reimagining institutional structures for digital-age learning. She mentors educators in developing future-focused curricula and has led research on micro-credential portability in post-COVID landscapes. Fitzgerald collaborates with industry partners to bridge academic and professional learning through short courses and credentialing systems.
