Daniel Johnson

Professor Daniel Johnson holds a position in the School of Computer Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he leads the QUT Games Research and Interaction Design Lab. He earned a PhD from the University of Queensland, focusing on the psychology of human-computer interactions and video games. His research interests span motivations for videogame play, player experience analysis, gamification, and the impact of games on wellbeing. Johnson is also Chair of the ACM CHI PLAY Steering Committee and maintains an affiliation with the Cambridge University Well-being Institute.

Johnson’s educational background includes Bachelor’s and Honours degrees in Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, and postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge’s Engineering Design Centre. His teaching focuses on game design, innovation, and computer game studies at QUT.

His research collaborations include projects with the Movember Foundation (MindMax and WellPlayed initiatives), The Binary Mill, and cooperative research centers like Young and Well CRC. He has secured significant grants, including CAT 1 funding for projects like Engaging Augmented Reality on 3D Head Up Displays to Reduce Risky Driving and Make and Connect: Enabling People to Connect through their Things.

Johnson’s work bridges academia and industry, emphasizing real-world applications in usability, user experience, and inclusive design. His lab explores cutting-edge topics such as VR/AR in geoscience, esports physiology, and ethical design of immersive technologies.