Dr Tracey Booth

Overview

Tracey is a Lecturer in Computer Science (HCI), and Co-Director of the MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design programme, in the School of Science & Technology. Modules taught to-date include Interaction Design, Evaluating Interactive Systems, Information Architecture, Creativity in Design, and User-Centred System Design.

As a Research Fellow in the Centre for HCI Design (HCID), Tracey worked on the award-winning EVA project, investigating the potential for multi-user virtual environments to improve the communication skills, and reduce social isolation, of people who have aphasia following a stroke. Through a co-design process involving 5 people who have moderate aphasia, and researchers from both HCID and the Division of Language and Communication Science, Tracey developed EVA Park, a private virtual world that has been used in a number of experimental trials. 

Her PhD in Human-Computer Interaction investigated the challenges encountered by end-user developers when constructing and programming physical computing devices with platforms such as Arduino, with a view to finding ways to support them. Informed by initial empirical work, and inspired by popular creativity support card decks, she designed and developed a novel, physical card-based tool to support novices in troubleshooting / debugging. The topic of her PhD was inspired by her MSc dissertation, which researched the potential benefits of visual (graphical) programming languages for novice end-user developers programming Arduino.

As a researcher and UX practitioner, Tracey specialises in finding ways to facilitate and support the use of technology in contexts where it can engage and empower. Currently, her main research interests lie in inclusive approaches to making and development, and the design of novel and inclusive technologies, with emphasis on positive user experience. Before joining City St George's, she spent a decade working on technology projects in the Voluntary Sector.

Qualifications

• PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, City, University of London, United Kingdom
• MSc (with Distinction), City University London, London, United Kingdom

Employment

• Lecturer in Computer Science (HCI), City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2022 - present
• Visiting Lecturer (HCI), City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2018 - 2019
• Research Fellow, City, University of London, United Kingdom, 2012 - 2015

Research keywords

- User-centred design, Inclusive design
- End-user programming / End-user development
- Usability of programming languages and environments
- Physical computing,
- Maker tools and practices; Tinkering
- Multi-user virtual environments; XR (VR/AR/MR)
- Novel interaction technologies

Research students

1^stsupervisor

• Dr Simone Stumpf, Lecturer

2^ndsupervisor

• Dr Jon Bird, Senior Lecturer in Pervasive Computing
• Dr Sara Jones, Reader in Creative Interactive System Design

Publications by category