Professor Ann Blandford wins two international awards for Human-Computer Interaction achievements

Ann’s research focuses on designing effective interactive health technologies for citizens and clinicians. She works closely with healthcare engineers, clinicians and patients, exploring new approaches to applying HCI theory and methods to practical health technology projects.

She has published widely on the design and use of interactive health technologies, and on how technology can be designed to better support people’s needs and values, recognising that people are living complex lives and often managing complex health conditions.

In February 2021, Ann was awarded the IFIP TC13 Pioneer in Human-Computer Interaction Award which ‘honours the greatest contributors in the development and growth of the field of HCI”. The recipients were selected for their significant research contribution, and embodying pioneers “in the original meaning of the word”.

This same month, Ann was also announced as a winner of the 2021 SIGCHI Awards, which identify and honour leaders and shapers of the field of HCI within SIGCHI – an international society for professionals, academics and students in HCI

SIGCHI presented Ann with their SIGCHI Academy award. The organisation describes the SIGHCI Academy as an ‘honorary group of individuals who have made substantial contributions to the field of human-computer interaction’.

"To be awarded the two main international awards in my field within one week is absolutely delightful. It’s a welcome recognition of the amazing, interdisciplinary research being conducted by teams of which I’m a member. It’s collective excellence. So, let me take this opportunity to thank all you clinicians, engineers, fellow HCI researchers, and professional support staff: we make things happen together."

 – Professor Ann Blandford

Congratulations to Professor Ann Blandford on her achievement!