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Human-Centered Computing

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

A group of four students erect community broadband networking apparatus on a rooftop

Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD) Lab

The ICTD Lab explores how technology can improve the lives of underserved populations in low-income regions through research spanning HCI, systems, communication and data analytics.

Human-Centered Robotics Lab photo of a robot assisting with picking up a bottle

Human-Centered Robotics Lab

In the Human-Centered Robotics lab we aim to develop robotics that are useful and usable for future users of task-oriented robots.


Allen School Faculty

Assistant Teaching Professor

Assistant Teaching Professor

Associate Professor

Associate Professor (Arriving January 2027)


Centers & Initiatives

Change is a cross-campus collaboration that explores the challenges of developing technology in the context of positive social change. It seeks to make connections between researchers, outside organizations, and the public to inspire the development of new capabilities aligned with the interests of those most in need.

LCI (pronounced “Lacey”) is a community of researchers, educators, students who are passionate researchers and practitioners of computing education. Members span the Allen School, Information School, College of Education, Department of Human-Centered Design & Engineering, Department of Communication and eScience Institute.

Highlights


UW News

Allen School Ph.D. student Yael Eiger and professor Franziska Roesner discuss their research examining people’s experiences with technology during and after incarceration and the broader impacts of technology used for policing and post-release monitoring.

Allen School News

In their 2017 paper, Roesner and her co-authors were among the first to investigate end-user security and privacy perspectives on then-emerging smart home technologies and recommend ways to help users make more informed security decisions.

UW News

To help shed light over safety and security concerns with current AI systems, UW News spoke with researchers including professors Franziska Roesner and Noah A. Smith.