How Are New Technologies Changing What We See?

There has been a proliferation of technological developments in the last few years that are beginning to improve how we perceive, attend to, notice, analyse and remember events, people, data and other information. These include machine learning, computer vision, advanced user interfaces (e.g. augmented reality) and sensor technologies. A goal of being augmented with ever more computational capabilities is to enable us to see more and, in doing so, make more intelligent decisions. But to what extent are the new interfaces enabling us to become more super-human? What is gained and lost through our reliance on ever pervasive computational technology? In my lecture, I will cover latest developments in technological advances, such as conversational interfaces, data visualisation, and augmented reality. I will then draw upon relevant recent findings in the HCI and cognitive science literature that demonstrate how our human capabilities are being extended but also struggling to adapt to the new demands on our attention. Finally, I will show their relevance to investigating the physical and digital worlds when trying to discover or uncover new information.

Biography:

My research interests are in the areas of ubiquitous computing, interaction design and human-computer interaction. A central theme is how to design interactive technologies that can enhance life by augmenting and extending everyday, learning and work activities. This involves informing, building and evaluating novel user experiences through creating and assembling a diversity of pervasive technologies. I was awarded a prestigious EPSRC dream fellowship rethinking the relationship between ageing, computing and creativity. I was the PI at UCL for the Intel Collaborative Research Institute on Sustainable Connected Cities which ran from 2012-2018 as a joint collaboration with Imperial College. Central to my work is a critical stance towards how visions, theories and frameworks shape the fields of HCI, cognitive science and Ubicomp. I have been instrumental in promulgating new theories (e.g., external cognition), alternative methodologies (e.g., in the wild studies) and far-reaching research agendas (e.g., “Being Human: HCI in 2020” manifesto). I have also published two monographs: "Research in The Wild" (with Paul Marshall, 2017) "HCI Theory: Classical, Modern and Contemporary." (2012). I was one of the principal investigators on the UK Equator Project (2000-2007) where I pioneered ubiquitous learning. I have published widely, beginning with my PhD work on graphical interfaces to my recent work on public visualisations and behavioural change. I am one of the co-authors of the definitive textbook on Interaction Design and HCI coming out in its 5th edition in 2019, that has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide and has been translated into 6 languages. I am a fellow of the ACM, a Fellow of the British Computer Society and a fellow of the ACM's CHI Academy: "an honorary group of individuals who have made substantial contributions to the field of human-computer interaction. These are the principal leaders of the field, whose efforts have shaped the disciplines and/or industry, and led the research and/or innovation in human-computer interaction."

The Strachey Lectures are generously supported by OxFORD Asset Management