Informatics Seminar on Tuesday,February 19 at 9.30 - Prof. Antonella De Angeli

The Faculty of Informatics is pleased to announce a seminar given by prof. Antonella De Angeli

TITLE: Computers change, users change: A vision on the evolution of HCI

SPEAKER: Prof. Antonella De Angeli, University of Manchester, UK

DATE: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

PLACE: USI Lugano, Room SI - 003, Informatics Building (Via G. Buffi 13)

TIME: 09:30 - 10:30

ABSTRACT:

The concept of usability is regarded by many as a milestone in the history of computer system design, specifically the design and evaluation of user interfaces. Since the term entered common usage in the early 1980's, considerations of usability have greatly impacted the way in which many interactive systems are developed. However, with the recent shift from a functional vision (computers as tools for cognition) towards an experiential vision (interactive systems as a medium for emotions, sociability and pleasure), it has come a realisation that usability may no longer be the only, or even the main, determinant of user behaviour and satisfaction.

Increasing importance is now given to the interface "look and feel", its capability to engage the users in fulfilling interaction, and generating affective responses. In this talk, I will present my vision of HCI as a dynamic discipline whose object of study is evolving in a loop: HCI modifies technology; technology constantly challenges the theoretical and methodological apparatus of HCI. The talk will build upon some of my recent research on (embodied) conversational agents and user-experience.

BIOGRAPHY:

Antonella De Angeli is a lecturer in Human-Computer Interaction at the Manchester Business School of the University of Manchester. Her research addresses cognitive, social and cultural consequences of information technologies and focuses on the application of this knowledge to the design of useful and usable interactive systems. Antonella was awarded a PhD in Experimental Psychology from the University of Trieste (Italy) where she also completed a 2 year post-doctorate research in Applied Cognitive.

Psychology. Part of her research was conducted at the OGI (Portland, USA), Loria (Nancy, France), and IRST (Trento, Italy). From 2000 to 2004 she has worked as a senior HCI researcher for NCR Ltd in the UK. She has published over 80 papers, served in the programme committee of leading HCI conferences, and reviewed for international journals.