The thesis will involve both design and research. You will follow user-centered design methods to shape system audio through prototyping, iteration, and redesign. In complement to this, you will evaluate users’ perception of system audio by conducting and analyzing rigorous mixed-methods user studies.
This will systematically explore user perceptions and responses including their trust and confidence in the conveyed information, as well as ethical considerations surrounding how audio is designed and potentially can be misused in the design of computing systems.
The project will focus on sound effects and synthetic voice as a design material, and may focus on several specific application areas, such as AI chatbots and voice user interfaces. It may also involve collaboration with audio designers and engineers in the private sector. At the end of the four-year PhD, you will be an established scholar in HCI, with publications in national and international venues (e.g., conferences like ACM CHI or the TOCHI journal).
The exact topic and work plan of the PhD relating to the broad ideas above will be defined in discussion with the selected candidate. The research will involve some or all of the following:
-
Designing and prototyping novel concepts and configurations in the audio design of interactive systems
-
Conducting mixed-methods user studies in real-world and lab environments
-
Analyzing and integrating quantitative and qualitative data
-
Systematically synthesizing prior literature as well as commercial audio design documents and specifications
-
Actively contributing to the national and international academic community through publications at high-quality venues
