Kellie Vella

Dr Kellie Vella is a Research Fellow at the School of Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She holds a PhD in Computer Science from QUT and a Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries. Her research focuses on human-computer interaction within social, wellbeing, and sustainability contexts, leveraging social psychology, ethnography, and participatory design methods. She has led interdisciplinary projects such as reducing music festival waste, designing ecoacoustic collaborations, and technologies for disaster victim identification.

Education:

• PhD (Queensland University of Technology)
• Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries (Queensland University of Technology)

Research Interests:

Dr Vella’s work spans human-computer interaction, sustainable technology design, and wellbeing applications. She investigates how digital tools can foster positive environmental behaviors, enhance social connections, and support mental health. Recent projects include:

• MindMax initiative: Men’s wellbeing through gaming (funded by Movember)
• Technologies for disaster victim identification (Catapult grant)
• Ecoacoustic collaborations for biodiversity monitoring

Recent Trends in Publications: Her work integrates playful AI, IoT, and participatory methods to address sustainability challenges. Key themes include early childhood nature connection via technology, waste reduction strategies, and human-nature relations in urban environments.

Grants & Projects:

• Technologies for Reducing Waste at Music Festivals (NSW Environmental Education Trust, 2020–2024)
• MindMax mental health app development (collaboration with AFLPA and University of Sydney)

Labs/Teams: She collaborates with the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child and leads projects at QUT’s Centre for Data Science.