Steve Howard

Social Computing

I work at the intersection between the computational and social sciences, trying to understand IT in its social context. Specifically, my students and I think about applications of pervasive and ubiquitous computing to problems of real societal concern (e.g. health, sustainability, ageing, distributed families, community engagement). We work in multidisciplinary teams, contributing HCI and CSCW knowledge where they're needed. Our approach is loosely design ethnography, interleaving qualitative field work and use-centred innovation.

With colleagues in the Interaction Design Lab (and associated Usability Lab) we are exploring these and related issues. We hold Seminars on Friday afternoons during the academic semester, and everyone is welcome. HCI Most Frequent Authors gives a partial listing of my publications, and Publications is more or less complete. Supervision lists my research students and their topics.

Current Projects

• 2013-15 Designing for scale: understanding the value of information and communication technologies for individuals, communities and movements. Funded by Australian Research Council (ARC) (DP130102142). With Vetere, Pearce and Dourish (UC Irvine).
• 2013-15 Improving vitamin D status and related health in young women (using social media and smartphones for recruitment and intervention). Funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (APP1049065). With Wark, Reavley, Pirotta and Varigos.
• 2011-13 Sociophysical Interactions: understanding the role of social and tangible technologies in maintaining good habits into old age. Funded by Australian Research Council (ARC) (DP110101999). With Vetere, Robertson, Brereton and Rogers (UCL).
• 2011-13 Social network sites for ambivalent socialisers: the case of smoking cessation. Funded by Australian Research Council (ARC) (LP110100046). With Smith, Pearce, Borland and Quit. Project website

Community Service

• Fellow, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia
• Editorial Board, International Journal Personal and Ubiquitous Computing
• Founding Editors and Advisors Board, International Journal Interacting with Computers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Computer Interaction
• Executive Committee Member, Institute for Broadband Enabled Society
• 2008 Chisig Medalist, for services to the Australasian HCI community

Current and Recent Teaching

• UNIB10005 Internet Meets Society
• INFO30004 Usability Engineering
• SINF90002 Interaction Design and Usability
• SINF90007 Pervasive Computing
• ISYS90032 Emerging Technologies and Issues