Swamy Ananthanarayan

Swamy Ananthanarayan serves as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Human Centred Computing at Monash University, where he designs interactive systems for underserved populations including people with disabilities, children, indigenous groups, and low socioeconomic status communities. His research integrates tangible computing and physical technologies to address real-world accessibility challenges while actively mentoring PhD students through multiple funded projects extending to 2026.

Education:

• PhD in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder (awarded December 19, 2015)

Research Focus: Dr. Ananthanarayan pioneers inclusive human-computer interaction through tangible interfaces, wearable systems, and ambient displays targeting marginalized user groups. His work spans computational toolkits for children, multimodal bicycle safety interfaces, and intergenerational storytelling platforms, directly advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals for reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and quality education (SDG 4).

Publication Trends: Analysis of 37 publications reveals escalating focus on accessibility for intellectual disabilities (evident in MakerVan projects), WaterHCI as an emerging domain, and recent integration of generative AI for screen reader enhancement. His 2022-2025 output shows methodological consistency in participatory design while expanding into health-focused applications and sensory augmentation techniques.

Scientific Recognition:

• 2024 Good Design Award (Social Impact) for Co-Designing STEAM experiences with people with intellectual disabilities

Research Leadership: As Chief Investigator, he directs three significant initiatives: Making eMaking Accessible (2023-2026) developing toolkits for intellectual disabilities; MakerVan (2022-2023) delivering mobile STEM workshops across Victoria; and Digital Health Inclusion (2022) improving healthcare access for disabled populations. His grants emphasize community co-creation with disability organizations and real-world deployment.

Research Infrastructure: The Accessible Markervan mobile makerspace serves as his primary community engagement platform, enabling field-based co-design sessions with disability communities across Victoria. This initiative operates through interdisciplinary partnerships between Monash University, disability service providers, and government health agencies to ensure technology solutions emerge directly from user needs.