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Human-Centered Computing

Our work in human-centered computing explores and enhances the ways in which people and communities engage with and experience technology. 

Our research considers the personal, educational, cultural, and ethical implications of innovation. Drawing upon techniques from human-computer interaction, learning sciences, sensing and more, we aim to maximize the potential benefits of technology while minimizing potential harms to individuals, groups and society.


Groups & Labs

Closeup of AI-augmented headphone on person's ear

Mobile Intelligence Lab

The interdisciplinary Mobile Intelligence Lab builds intelligent systems and tools for tackling hard technical and societal problems, including battery-free computing, medical diagnostics, augmented human perception and more.

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Makeability Lab

The Makeability Lab specializes in Human-Computer Interaction and applied machine learning for high-impact problems in accessibility, computational urban science, and augmented reality.


Faculty Members

Faculty

Faculty


Centers & Initiatives

DFab is a network of researchers, educators, industry partners, and community members advancing the field of digital fabrication at UW and in the greater Seattle region.

LCI (pronounced “Lacey”) is a community of researchers, educators, students who are passionate researchers and practitioners of computing education. Members span the Allen School, Information School, College of Education, Department of Human-Centered Design & Engineering, Department of Communication and eScience Institute.

Highlights


Allen School News

The Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education recognized Ladner with the ACM SIGCSE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education for his work expanding access for students with disabilities.

GeekWire

Allen School undergraduate Prisha Hemani and teammates won the grand prize in the 2026 Hollomon Health Challenge for CPRight, a real-time CPR feedback device. The annual competition is hosted by the UW’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship in the Foster School of Business.

UW Graduate School

Jain will pursue a Master’s of Philosophy in English at Cambridge University to complement his Allen School research focused on designing computational tools for digital archival collections that better reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve.