Research Overview

My research lies within the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). I explore the socio-technical issues emerging from the use of interactive technology with the aim of understanding the complex interplay of artefacts, human mind, body, and environment. To meet this complexity, my approach combines psychology theories, social science methods and design practice, concretized in developing digital artefacts. My research is grounded on cultural psychology. and I investigate these issues by recognizing that a successful system can only be developed by fully understanding the fundamental role played by social interactions in the development of cognition, and in the process of "meaning making". Indeed, my research relies on an ecological approach valuing participatory design methods, qualitative and ethnographically informed investigations. I have explored these issues in a broad range of application areas and technologies (e.g. embedded and distributed systems in museums, tangible and gesture user interface in public spaces, large pervasive displays for communities and mobile technology for learning).