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.
Wildlab
The Wildlab explores how technology can be biased against people who are unlike those who created it — and to build systems that help designers, developers, and researchers better support the needs and perspectives of different people.
Allen School Faculty
Professor
Associate Professor
Associate Teaching Professor
Professor
Centers & Initiatives
The Community-Engaged Computing Initiative (CECI) is a joint initiative to support community-centered scholarship and research within the broad computing and information field. Co-led by the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, and the Information School, the initiative was launched in 2025 through a gift from Google. CECI supports projects that bring UW faculty and graduate students together with community partners to bring sustainable, equitable, and inclusive technology into real-world contexts.
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
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.
Allen School News
In the first installment of a new Q&A series exploring grand challenges in computing, Reinecke and Smith discuss how they and their colleagues aim to answer the question, “How do we design AI in a way that is transparent and equally beneficial to all?”
Allen School News
Allen School faculty recognized 2025 alumni Wei and Zhu for their outstanding doctoral dissertation research identifying new methods for tackling online harassment introducing more secure techniques for generating digital signatures, respectively.