Our work in human-centered computing explores and enhances the ways in which people and communities engage with and experience technology.
Our research considers the personal, educational, cultural, and ethical implications of innovation. Drawing upon techniques from human-computer interaction, learning sciences, sensing and more, we aim to maximize the potential benefits of technology while minimizing potential harms to individuals, groups and society.
Groups & Labs
Graphics & Imaging Lab (GRAIL)
The work of the Graphics & Imaging Laboratory spans computer graphics, computer vision, generative AI, computational photography, virtual reality, animation and games.
Behavioral Data Science Group
The Behavioral Data Science Group leverages large-scale behavioral data to extract actionable insights about our lives, health and happiness by combining techniques from data science, social network analysis, and natural language processing.
Faculty Members
Faculty
Faculty
Faculty
Faculty
Centers & Initiatives
Computing for the Environment (CS4Env)
Computing for the Environment (CS4Env) at the University of Washington supports novel collaborations across the broad fields of environmental sciences and computer science & engineering. The initiative engages environmental scientists and engineers, computer scientists and engineers, and data scientists in using advanced technologies, methodologies and computing resources to accelerate research that addresses pressing societal challenges related to climate change, pollution, biodiversity and more.
Society + Technology
Society + Technology is a cross-campus, cross-disciplinary initiative and community at the University of Washington that is dedicated to research, teaching and learning focused on the social, societal and justice dimensions of technology.
Highlights
Oregon Public Broadcasting
The lived experiences of people with disabilities are often ignored in the development of new technologies, but that’s not the case with the Allen School’s ADA project. Community researcher Jonathan Ko joined recent Ph.D. alum Amal Nanavati to discuss their collaboration.
UW News
The Taskar Center for Accessible Technology created the first statewide data set enabling communities across Washington to map pedestrian infrastructure and transit access — which paves the way for exploring other questions such as access to schools, grocery stores and health care.
UW Aeronautics & Astronautics
Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics researchers teamed up with Taskar Center Director Anat Caspi and computer engineering major Marc Alwan to explore how eye-tracking can help autonomous systems adapt their interactions to individual users’ comfort and safety preferences.