PhD in

This course focuses on the key psychology and human factors related to HCI design. The course provides students with a deep understanding of how the field has evolved and how interdisciplinary research has shaped the way humans interact with technology over the years. The course presents an overview of the latest AI applications in the field and an analysis of the positive and negative psychological implications of technologies. Students learn the key aspects of cognition and perception and design systems that are intuitive and optimized for adoption and learning.

This course covers theories and models that are applied to interaction science and interaction design to ensure that technologies meet users’ needs, cognitive abilities, and emotional responses. It covers aspects of user interaction with technology, and the design and analysis of user interfaces. The related theories and models have been developed from various disciplines such as psychology, computer science, ergonomics, and design, and they help in guiding the design of systems that are intuitive, efficient, and effective for users.

This course focuses on three key themes of HCI, namely user experience, interaction design and service design. These interconnected fields focus on creating user-centric products and services that are intuitive, efficient, and delightful. The course covers the key theories, methodologies and tools for iterative interface design focusing on services specifically. The course covers usability principles, programmable user models and automated synthesis and analysis of user generated data. The course also covers aspects of various user data models and design rights.

In HCI, Accessibility, Inclusive and Universal Design principles aim to make digital experiences usable, equitable, and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or circumstances. Accessibility refers to the design of products, environments, or services that are usable by people with disabilities. Inclusivity in design ensures that users with diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds can equally access technologies. Universality as a design principle ensures that the widest range of people can use technologies regardless of their location, local standards or compliance with regulations.

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research and design benefit immensely from emerging technology solutions (e.g. wearables, sensors, …) and Artificial Intelligence applications in the field. Emerging technologies enable new types of interaction designs, provide new methods for data collection and analysis, and assist in design of accessible and inclusive solutions. With the reduced cost and access to new technologies the traditional HCI design paradigms and design space can be extended and made available for new methodologies and technologies can be made available for various user groups. The course also reminds students of emphasizes the responsible application of these technologies and highlights the regulatory challenges their use may present.

This course focuses on information visualization -is the process of using graphical representations to convey data, trends, patterns, and relationships in a way that makes complex information accessible and understandable. Students will explore the use of charts, maps, and other interactive visual representations to present data in a manner that is easier to interpret than “raw” data alone. The course includes a focus on the use of the latest e tools for visualization of data for effective analysis, interpretation, interaction and collaboration with others. Students will learn to design projects that support effective data gathering, organization, analysis, and presentation. Emphasis will be placed on using structured narrative techniques to communicate insights clearly and maximize impact.

This course focuses on creating technology that can adapt to and serve the needs of users in a wide range of settings, cultures, environments, and situations. Users interact with technology in varied contexts in terms of physical environments, cultural backgrounds, or technological devices. Understanding and designing applications that are optimal for these different contexts is key to creating meaningful, effective, and accessible user experiences. Students will apply design thinking approaches to user-centered and contextualized interface design.

This course focuses on the intersection of creativity, digital arts, and AI, particularly in performance. The key concepts covered in this course are Critical Understanding of the Social, Cultural, and Political Implications of AI in Performance, Understanding Theories of Embodiment and Performance and Designing Interactive Performance Systems with Sensors and Actuators, Exploring the Use of AI for Creating Immersive and Participatory Performance Experiences and Ethical Considerations in Embodied AI Performance. Students will learn to critically evaluate the impacts of design choices in a cultural context.

In this course, students will explore the ethical, social, and cultural issues related to the design and use of interactive technologies. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, and real-world applications, students will examine how human-computer interaction (HCI) affects users, communities, and society. Topics will include privacy, data security, accessibility, social inclusion, digital well-being, algorithmic bias, and the ethical responsibilities of HCI professionals. The course will also encourage students to consider the potential long-term societal impacts of emerging technologies such as AI, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and how HCI design decisions can contribute to or mitigate harm.

PhD thesis research exposes students to cutting-edge and unsolved research problems, where they are required to propose new solutions and significantly contribute towards the body of knowledge. Students pursue an independent research study, under the guidance of a supervisory panel, for a period of 3 to 4 years. PhD thesis research helps train graduates to become leaders in their chosen area of research through partly supervised study, eventually transforming them into researchers who can work independently or interdependently to carry out cutting edge research.

The MBZUAI internship with industry is intended to provide the student with hands-on experience, blending practical experiences with academic learning.