Who We Are and What We Do

The research group Human-Centered Computing (HCC) focuses on designing, developing, and applying interactive computing technologies. The group has a long tradition of empirical and solution-oriented research focusing on processes, products, and theory.

The process-oriented interest contributes to methodological knowledge of agile development, design, evaluation, and innovation of interactive systems. The product-oriented interest contributes to knowledge of the specifics of interactive systems and their application in work, leisure, organisations, teams, and other social arrangements. The theoretical knowledge interest is in innovation, design, evaluation, and the application of interactive systems in practice.

Research Approach

The HCC group has a strong element of empirical research involving humans, whether individual users or software application developers, groups of users and teams of developers, or the use and development in a larger social or organisational context.

One part of the empirical research is experimental in the form of design, construction, and study of interactive prototypes to explore and solve specific problems. Another aspect is action-oriented and directed at digitalisation and software development, which often happens in close collaboration with companies to improve their practices.

Research Activities

The HCC group conducts research activities within three main areas: interaction design, user studies, and development.

Interaction Design

The interaction design research area is primarily design-oriented. It is concerned with the design of probes, prototypes, and products that can be both digital and physical, specifically designing interactive products to support how people communicate and carry out activities in their everyday and working lives.

User Studies

The user studies research area is highly empirical and is concerned with understanding how technologies should be designed or deployed. Empirical studies are carried out through longitudinal real-world deployments or controlled experiments (in a usability laboratory).

Development

The research in development seeks to understand, design and improve development processes including software development processes. This includes organisational practices pertaining to agility or UX integration. It further includes research involving designs that challenge social norms, assumptions, and practices through technology.

Current Strategic Themes

The HCC group is currently working strategically with two key research areas: digitalisation and human-centered artificial intelligence (AI).

Digitalisation focuses on research topics addressing how digital technologies are developed and used in companies, public organisations, cities, and society at large. We employ empirical, qualitative research approaches when studying digitalisation, and we study and support both public and private companies in digitalisation initiatives that may transform their products, services, and organisations.

Human-centered AI focuses on the design and evaluation of technologies integrating AI or machine learning components. Such integration affects how users interact with digital technology, but also how developers should design digital technology. More specifically, the HCC group works with aspects of collaborative AI, fairness of AI algorithms, and explainable AI within human-centered AI.

Sustainable Development Goals

Several of HCC’s projects and activities deal with challenges that are directly or indirectly related to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action.

Who We Work With

The group works closely with industry and other external partners, such as municipalities and semi-public companies.
Likewise, international and national research cooperation continues to be essential for the group, and several long-term collaborations have been established.

External partners

Among others: Adapt A/S, B&O, EnergiNord, Hardi, LEGO, Mjølner Informatik, Microsoft Research, Nilfisk, Nordjyllands Trafikselskab, Soundfocus, Systematic Software Engineering, Vestas Wind Systems, Volkswagen Corporate Research, Yilu (Lufthansa), Aalborg University Hospital and Aalborg Municipality.