Human-Computer Interaction

The Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program supports research and related education activities fundamental to the design and evaluation of systems that mediate between computers and humans, and which will lead to the creation of tomorrow's exciting new user interface software and technology. The program's ultimate objective is to transform the human-computer interaction experience, so the computer is no longer a distracting focus of attention but rather an invisible tool that empowers the individual user and facilitates natural and productive human-human collaboration. HCI research topics include, but are not limited to: development and formal experimental evaluation of foundational models and theories; augmented cognition and novel uses of computer technologies in education; multi-media and multi-modal interfaces in which combinations of text, graphics, gesture, movement, touch, sound, etc. are used by people and machines to communicate with one another; intelligent interfaces; information visualization; virtual and augmented reality; immersive environments; wearable, mobile, and ubiquitous computing; and new I/O devices. Because such research is highly interdisciplinary in nature, HCI projects often have synergies with other programs within the IIS Division and across NSF.