HCI in Living Laboratories

Speaker
Gregory Abowd
Associate Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech and Co-Director of Aware Home Research Institute

When
-

Where
Newell-Simon Hall 1305 (Michael Mauldin Auditorium)

Description

For over a decade, we have investigated the application of ubiquitous computing technologies in everyday settings. My research philosophy has been to explore the complex challenges of future computing environments by creating realistic deployments. Balancing the demands of both human- and technology-centered research, I will report on interesting progress in the effective merging of formative evaluation, design, implementation, deployment and summative evaluation. In this talk, I will highlight some of the major projects and tools developed in the course of exploring classroom, home and health applications. I will provide a more detailed exploration of the most recent domain of exploration, the support of individuals with autism and their caregivers.

Speaker's Bio

Gregory Abowd is an Associate Professor in the School of Interactive Computing and GVU Center at Georgia Tech, and co-Director of the Aware Home Research Initiative. His research explores applications of ubiquitous computing technologies, combining both human-centered and technology-driven research themes. Since 1995, Dr. Abowd has lead the development and evaluation of several influential ubiquitous computing projects: Cyberguide; eClass (nee Classroom 2000); the Aware Home; and most recently a suite of tools to support caregivers for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Abowd is the co-author of a major textbook on Human-Computer Interaction and has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles in the areas of Ubiquitous Computing, HCI and Software Engineering. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Mathematics and Physics. He has a M.Sc. (1987) and D.Phil. (1991) in Computation from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Prior to joining the faculty at Georgia Tech in 1994, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of York in the U.K. and at Carnegie Mellon University. One of 12 children growing up in suburban Detroit, Dr. Abowd himself is the father of three children, two of whom have diagnoses on the autism spectrum. For the past four years, Dr. Abowd has been a strong advocate for technology research related to autism and serves on the Innovative Technologies for Autism Committee for the Cure Autism Now Foundation and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of America Greater Georgia Chapter.

Speaker's Website
http://www.gregoryabowd.com/

Host
Jennifer Mankoff