Technology Interaction Design for an Ageing Population: an Alumni Panel event

With 1 in 4 people in the UK expected to be over 65 years old by 2039, making technologies older adults can use (and love) has become a must. As our digital world continues to evolve, we can no longer afford unwieldy and poorly designed tools and devices that disregard the natural changes that come with age. At this alumni panel event, we will discuss with design, business, and health experts how to develop technologies that consider and cater for our ageing selves.

Programme

18:30 - 18:35 Welcome by Dr Chris Child, Associate Dean for Employability & Corporate Relations

18:35 - 19:30 'Technology Interaction Design for an Ageing Population' panel discussion chaired by Dr Stephann Makri, Senior Lecturer in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

19:30 - 19:55 Q&A

19:55 - 20:00 Final remarks and event closure

About the speakers

Becca Epstein (MSc Human-Computer Interaction Design, 2021) - Research and Inclusion Manager, Royal Ballet and Opera

Becca completed her MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design at City St George’s in 2021, before joining the Royal Ballet and Opera in 2022 as a UX Research Associate. Now serving as Research and Inclusion Manager, she leads research with audiences, users, and visitors across all Royal Ballet and Opera products and experiences to support the creation of excellent end to end journeys, including intuitive digital user experiences. She is passionate about ensuring research represents all audiences to inform inclusive and accessible experiences.

Brian Grellmann (MSc Human-Computer Interaction Design, 2017) - UX Research & Accessibility Lead, Aviva

Brian Grellmann is a UX researcher, designer, and accessibility specialist with an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction Design. He leads UX Research and Accessibility at Aviva, supporting the design of services that help customers build resilient financial futures. His academic research has focused on improving access to digital information for stroke survivors with complex communication needs. Brian serves on three advisory boards, contributing to academic research and curriculum development across two UK universities. His broader research interests include Human-Centred AI and digital health technologies.

Dr Nicolas Hine - Retired from position as Professor in UX Engineering, City St George's, University of London

Dr Nicolas Hine has researched the fit between technology and people for over 30 years and has had teaching and technology provision roles in colleges and training centres for students with disabilities for an additional 8 years. His primary interest is the use of technology to promote independent living and quality of life for people with disabilities and older people. As well as lab based research, he was involved in field based ethnographic studies involving residents of supported dwellings. Underpinning this is an interest in cultural and societal use of technology which led to him establishing a worldwide community of students exchanging experiences via an online platform known as OurDigitalCulture.

Professor Stephanie Wilson - Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, City St George's, University of London

Stephanie is a Human-Computer Interaction researcher whose work focuses on designing inclusive, user-centered technologies through co-design. Rooted in a deep commitment to designing for better futures, Stephanie leads interdisciplinary research into technologies for stroke survivors with complex communication needs and recently led co-design activities on a semi-finalist team in Longitude Prize on Dementia. Her work has been recognised in the Tech4Good awards and multiple awards at the ACM CHI conference. Stephanie is also Co-Director of the Centre for HCI Design and Co-Director of the EPSRC Diverse Centre for Doctoral Training which is training the next generation of researchers in diversity-conscious data visualization and design practices.