What's "ANIMAL-COMPUTER INTERACTION"?

Animal-computer interaction (ACI) is a multidisciplinary field of study focusing on the study and design of digital technology for animals. While initially concerned with design of technology used just by animals, ACI has since expanded to cover a more-than-human approach studying how humans, animals, and technology all interact.

At Northumbria, I approach ACI research through several perspectives, collaborating on work designing new technologies, conducting empirical studies of existing technologies, and developing theory of technology mediated more-than-human interactions. I engage extensively with the Animal-Computer Interaction community, through spreading the word in different conferences; helping steer and organize the yearly International Conference on Animal-Computer Interaction and the Interational Summer School on Animal-Centred Computing; and developing ACI educational materials and ways to incorporate them into CS & IS curricula in higher education. But most of all, I try to share my ideas and try to get others involved in studying what happens when humans, animal, and technology meet—so why not join us at one of these cool ACI events?

I have a strong interest in developing & delivering educational materials for ACI, and figuring out how these can be integrated into CS & IS curricula to teach key computing topics such as the complexity of systems analyis, inclusive design, and acceptance of 'otherness'. If you're interested in having me give a guest lecture or interactive seminar, get in touch!

This lecture gives student a first introduction to key topics like:

  • How and where do animals interact with technology?

  • What are the difficulties of designing technology for animals?

  • How does such technology give rise to interspecies information systems?

  • What additional challenges do interspecies information systems bring?

This interactive seminar teaches students about the harm they can unintentionally do to animals and their caregivers alike by assuming domain knowledge and failing to consider deployed tech's wider context. It can also serve as a bridge to introduce students to inclusive design for human-focused technology in e.g., HCI, RE and other related teaching.