St Andrews HCI Research Group

Welcome to the website for SACHI which aims to act a focal point for human computer interaction research across the University of St Andrews and beyond.

SACHI is the St Andrews Computer Human Interaction research group (a HCI Group) based in the School of Computer Science. Members of SACHI co-supervise research students, collaborate on various projects and activities, share access to research equipment and our HCI prototyping workshop. Established in 2011, we now have a regular seminar series, social activities, summer schools and organise workshops and conferences together. Along with the above links, you can find more news about us here.
SACHI members at our away day at St Andrews Botanic Gardens.

News and Events

Seminar: Performative Artefacts – From Interactions in Space to Situated in Place 26th Feb 2025


Abstract:

Tom will share some of his past work in interaction and experience design with objects, installations and space and why it has led to his current research into place, tangibles and design.

Bio:

Tom Metcalfe is an interdisciplinary designer and researcher whose work begins with social purpose, and evolves through the creation of meticulously considered forms, intuitive yet surprising interaction design, and an open, conversational quality which invites human and more-than-human connection. He works across multiple mediums and materials creating Performative Artefacts which often utilise technology in subtle ways to enhance the texture, capacity and magical animism of object-based interaction. Metcalfe’s practice is situated in Dundee and Fife, Scotland. He founded his own studio in 2014. His current major work is an exploration into the connections and opportunities in place, design and human-computer interaction – particularly tangibles and connected objects. Place is the foundation of regenerative design, and our understanding of place identity, attachment and affordances will play a crucial role in creating a more ethical, equitable and sustainable future.

More about Tom Metcalfe

Event details:

  • When: 26th Feb 2025 13:00-14:00
  • Where: Jack Cole 1.33A

Seminar: Democratising the Design and Development of Emerging Technologies 17th March 2025


Abstract:

My research focuses on democratising the development of emerging technologies. More specifically, by establishing accessible approaches for designing and building emerging technologies such as robotics, wearables, and shape-changing interfaces. To advance the field, my research focuses not only on understanding these technologies (e.g., their design), but also how to build them (e.g., engineer them), and how to innovate with them (e.g., application). In this talk, I will go into detail about some of the projects I have worked on around this topic across the fields of HCI, Design, and Engineering.

Bio:

Dr. Aluna Everitt is a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Prior to moving to Christchurch (NZ), she was a Research Associate in the Cyber-Physical Systems group at the University of Oxford and a Junior Research Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford. She was also a Senior Visiting Researcher and postdoc at the University of Bristol (BIG Lab). Dr. Everitt was awarded her PhD in Computer Science from Lancaster University, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As a multi-disciplinary researcher, her areas of interest and expertise lie across the fields of HCI, Design, and Engineering. She has a particular interest in conducting both quantitative and qualitative research which combines a mix of engineering fabrication approaches for iterative prototyping, together with collaborative design (co-design) to encourage users and experts from different domains to develop content and applications for the next generation of interactive hardware systems and interfaces (e.g., shape-changing displays, wearables, and robotics).

More about Dr. Aluna Everitt

Event details:

  • When: 17th March 2025 12:00-13:00
  • Where: Jack Cole 1.33B

Seminar: An Upcycled IoT 12th March 2025


Abstract:

The Internet-of-Things (IoT) promises to enhance even the most mundane of objects with computational properties. Yet, IoT has largely focused on new devices, and so, has required households to replace their possessions to adopt IoT. Replacement brings disruption to the home and generates substantial waste. To address this, my research asks us to re-envision how IoT is integrated into the home and asks us to imagine, what if we could upcycle our existing possessions with IoT so that family practices are resilient to technological change? In this talk I’ll describe day to day family life, how families imagine IoT making home life better, a lightweight system to graft IoT onto existing possessions, and open problems in tangible interaction, DIY modification, and sensor uncertainty that need addressed to make an Upcycled IoT possible. Along the way, I’ll describe work my lab has been doing to make progress on these open challenges and the implications these have for making IoT both sustainable and capable of supporting resilient homes.

Bio:

Kristin Williams is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in Emory University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on making programming the Internet of Things approachable to casual end user programmers. This work builds on Kristin’s longstanding interests in agency, DIY publishing, and access to information. In the past, Kristin has worked closely with community organizations to shape and evaluate assistive technologies for individuals with visual and cognitive disabilities, managed an archive of Soviet dissident literature on the political abuse of psychiatry, and created a 10+ year book project on Central Asian civil society as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan. She has a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University’s Human Compter Interaction Institute, an MS in Human-Computer Interaction from both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland, College Park and a BA in Philosophy from Reed College. She was a 2021 EECS Rising Star, an NSF EAPSI Fellow, and an AAUW Career Development Grantee.

More about Dr Kristin Williams

Event details:

  • When: 12th March 2025 13:00-14:00
  • Where: Jack Cole 1.33A


More News and Events