Dag Svanæs

Dag Svanæs is a Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at NTNU’s Department of Computer and Information Science. His research focuses on embodied interaction, emphasizing the physical, bodily, and social dimensions of human-computer interaction. He developed a usability laboratory for simulating multi-user, multi-device scenarios, particularly in healthcare contexts. His theoretical framework draws heavily from Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, exploring how perception and action shape interaction.

Education: PhD in HCI from NTNU (2000). His research areas include interaction design, user-centered methods, and healthcare IT systems design. Key projects include the UNITY-Things IoT framework and exergame development for balance training in seniors.

Research Highlights: Svanæs pioneered participatory design methodologies in healthcare IT, emphasizing end-user involvement through role-play and prototyping. His work on pandemic policy critiques and lockdown strategies demonstrates interdisciplinary collaboration between HCI and public health.

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles in venues like Computer Supported Cooperative Work, Frontiers in Computer Science, and IEEE Transactions. Recent work addresses exergame design, pandemic response systems, and embodied interaction theory.

Grants & Labs: Built NTNU’s Health Informatics Usability and Design Lab. Collaborates with academic and healthcare institutions on projects like the NSEP (Norwegian Center for Electronic Patient Records).