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UBC's Human-Computer Interaction group is a rapidly growing,
informally affiliated community of UBC researchers, students
and industry partners with active collaborations spanning
several faculties (Science, Arts, Applied Science, Commerce
and Forestry) and many departments (Computer
Science, Psychology,
Electrical/Computer and
Mechanical Engineering
and Forest
Resource Management) as well as other universities. Our
connections occur primarily through our research and interests,
rather than formal institutions, and this cooperation has
resulted in a wide and ever-growing variety of courses and
research opportunities for students, including close interaction
with researchers and students from other departments.
The HCI group cooperates with UBC's new Institute for Computing,
Information and Cognitive Systems (http://www.icics.ubc.ca/),
which supports collaboration between Engineering, Computer
Science, Psychology, Music, Commerce, Education, Forestry
and Health with a strong focus on HCI.
what
we do:
teaching & research |
Much of both our teaching and research is related to the
development of advanced interactive technologies. By using
cognitive, social, and perceptual science theories and methods
we create new perspectives on the interaction of human and
machine. We look at technology as a medium of communication
as well as an environment for perceptual and cognitive processes
and a tool for performing tasks. With our interdisciplinary
perspective we can more effectively explore innovative interface
approaches for real-time, immersive, attentive, and ubiquitous
computing systems. These include the design of new haptic
devices, multisensory and immersive (VR) interfaces, transparent
interfaces, environments that support cognitive processing
(e.g. decision support, knowledge management, e-learning),
collaborative work and learning spaces, and new interactive
media spaces for education and entertainment.
who we work
with:
a new model for industry collaboration |
We believe that human-centred design of new
technologies plays a role in the development of innovative
new products, and that many opportunities exist for immediate
application of basic psychological and perceptual research
to advanced interfaces. We have found that this kind of design
and research occurs most productively in conjunction with
like-minded and farsighted industry associates, who ensure
the relevance of our work by supplying challenging real-world
problems and a chance to apply research results to real products
and environments.
Likewise, our industry partners have found
our culture of collaboration to be an efficient means of access
to an integrated community of experts in many disciplines.
Members of UBC's HCI group are currently engaged in a variety
of research initiatives in air traffic control, automotive
telematics, immersive CAD, collaborative media spaces, e-learning,
and attentive systems, with industry involvement ranging from
large-scale capital funding to mutual consultation.
Our industry partners include international
companies such as Boeing, HRL, Immersion Corp., Nissan, and
Sun Microsystems as well as Canadian companies such as Tactex
Controls Inc., ThoughtShare Communications Inc., and Recombo
inc. BC's New Media Innnovation Centre (NewMIC)
adds to this with industry clusters that include IBM, Nortel,
Sierra Wireless, Telus, Electronic Arts, and Sony as well
as many other small companies.
opportunities:
students, postdocs & research
staff |
Recent new faculty hiring and research funding have resulted
in many exciting new project opportunities for graduate students
at the Masters and Ph.D. level as well as postdoctoral fellows
and technical staff.
Students from a range of backgrounds are invited to contact
any of the UBC HCI faculty for
more information, and to apply to cooperating faculties in
Commerce (MIS),
Computer Science, Education,
Electrical/Computer or
Mechanical Engineering,
or Psychology.
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