Overview
The Allen School's Human-Computer Interaction group pursues innovative research attacking high-impact problems. We are motivated by both the fundamental challenges of creating interactive systems and the tremendous opportunities for new interactive technologies to improve our everyday lives.
We pursue an inherently interdisciplinary approach, collaborating within our school and across the larger UW community. Many of these collaborations are organized around the dub group, the University of Washington's cross-campus initiative for research and education in Human-Computer Interaction and Design. The dub group pursues research in accessibility, ubiquitous and context-aware computing, intelligent user interfaces, education, health, sustainability, and many other topics.
In 2020, the Allen School joined the iSchool; the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Human Centered Design & Engineering, Rehabilitation Technology and Disability Studies in launching the Center for Research and Education in Accessible Technologies and Experiences (CREATE) to make technology accessible, and to make the world accessible through technology. CREATE is a multidisciplinary, Accessibility focused effort. Any UW student or faculty researcher working on accessibility of or through technology can join UW CREATE; email us at create-contact@uw.edu
In 2014, the Allen School launched the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that empower people living with severe motor and speech impairments. The Taskar Center engages faculty and students from the Allen School and departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Human Centered Design & Engineering, and Rehabilitation Medicine in research projects and outreach activities that seek to improve quality of life for this underserved population.
Our multi-disciplinary approach and solid record of success place us among the best human-computer interaction research groups in the world.
Our Labs
Make4All Group
The Make4All Group, led by professor Jennifer Mankoff, applies technologies such as data science and 3D printing and other fabrication technologies to improving inclusion in and accessibility of our digital future.
Makeability Lab
The Makeability Lab, led by professor Jon Froehlich, focuses on designing, building and studying interactive tools and techniques to address pressing societal challenges.
Social Futures Lab
The Social Futures Lab, led by professor Amy Zhang, is reimagining social and collaborative systems to empower people and improve society.