In this presentation I will describe a program of research on 'attractive user interfaces' which aims to understand the deeper cognitive mechanisms underpinning users' preferences for, and behaviour with, aesthetic interfaces and nature of 'user experience'. A theoretical framework, based on Payne et al's Adaptive Decision Maker theory will be described for assessing the attractiveness of websites, composed of criteria for content, usability, aesthetics, reputation, and customisation. The framework has been developed into questionnaire inventories and used to evaluate a series of websites which shared the same brand and content but differed in usability and aesthetic design. In three studies (Sutcliffe, Hartmann and De Angeli-Interact 2005, DIS 2006, CHI 2007), we have shown that users' perception and preference for aesthetically design web sites is subject to strong framing, context and halo effects, i.e. their preferences depend on their background and the task, while positive judgement of one attribute (aesthetics) positively influences judgement of others such as usability and content, even when objective measures showed one design to be worse, and the content of both sites was identical. This challenges Norman's and Tractinsky's view that 'what is beautiful is usable'. The implications of framing and halo effects on users' judgement of aesthetics will be discussed, followed by some more speculative thoughts on our current research which is expanding the framework to include presence, interaction and engagement. (http://www.informatics.manchester.ac.uk/research/groups/isd/themes/). Alistair Sutcliffe is Professor of Systems Engineering, in Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. He has been principle investigator on 15 EPSRC and European Union projects on requirements engineering, multimedia user interfaces, safety critical systems and cognitive modelling for information retrieval. His research interests span a wide area within Human Computer Interaction and Software Engineering. In HCI particular interests are interaction theory, and user interface design methods for the web, multimedia, virtual reality, safety critical systems and methods for usability evaluation. His research also covers application of cognitive theory to design, and design of complex socio-technical systems. « Short abstract

As computing technology has become more powerful, more connected, and more ubiquitous, we've seen an acceleration of research - and progress - on "human scale computing," using computing to assist and augment how people naturally work, play and go about their daily lives. Computers can help us see, remember, find information, communicate, and interact with the world around us. Computing can also be our guardian angel, watching over our shoulder and keeping us safe. While we still have a long way to go before computers can do everything that people can do, today they increasingly play a complementary role to our own abilities and are truly capable of changing people's lives for the better. Kevin Schofield is General Manager for Strategy and Communications at Microsoft Research. His organization drives consensus on technical strategy and priorities for Microsoft's research efforts. He is also responsible for developing Microsoft Research's relationships with academia, customers, press, analysts, and Microsoft's own product groups. Mr. Schofield joined Microsoft in 1988, and has worked in Microsoft Research since 1997. Over the course of his tenure at Microsoft, he worked in both development and program management for a number of Microsoft product efforts, including networking, operating systems, MSN, and multimedia authoring tools. He is a Magna cum Laude graduate of Dartmouth College with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. « Short abstract

Federated identity management systems synthesise complex and fragmented user information into a single entity. Literature from the identity management system providers note this integration extends many benefits to the end user and the privileges provided by digital identity authentication schemes have been well documented from this perspective. Less explored however, are the perceptions of federation from the user's perspective. This paper attempts to address this gap by reporting on independent research conducted by Novell, The University of Melbourne and Monash University that examines the relationship between identity and technology. It emerges that while current federated systems satisfy user needs by allowing the construction of multiple digital data sets, the fragments of which are moored to a central identifier, they fail to provide the user with control over the capability to act in the 'hatch', 'match' and 'dispatch' phases of the digital identity lifecycle. Ultimately, this reduces the user's trust in providers and results in reluctance to disclose personal details. « Short abstract

Richard Jones will demonstrate and discuss his work leading a large UM ARC Linkages grant with The Learning Federation (TLF), Australia's largest producer of online educational content. This project, developed in close collaboration with schools, content experts and multimedia developers, has produced a range of rich task Learning Objects particularly focused on engaging 'at risk' boys in their middle years of school. Underlying longitudinal research in schools is a unique user tracking and data reporting program described by CSIRO Publishing's Multimedia Division Manager Mr Nick Pitsas as: "fantastic...[it] has enormous potential...all of this can only help in taking the standard of LOs to another level of usability and effectiveness." Additionally, TLF subject matter expert Mr Graham Coghill has identified the program's potential as a classroom based diagnostic tool: "I can see it would be a very useful tool for teachers in schools...it would be great for diagnosing problems for particular students who are having difficulties." Richard will discuss this work in the light of ongoing developments in user-centred design and action-based research at VCA. Professor Richard Jones is an accomplished filmmaker and a national leader in research driven new media production, particularly in the fields of social justice, health and education « Short abstract

Due to various reasons, elderly members of society often have trouble maintaining their existing social relationships and forging new ones. This is particularly important as the quality and quantity of social relationships has been closely associated with many health outcomes such as depressive mood, stress, and overall morbidity risk. An important feature of social relationships is the concept of phatic interaction. This is the theory that communication is not always solely intended to convey information, but sometimes more concerned with the maintenance of communication channels through the exchange of seemingly redundant information. An emerging trend commonly associated with online socialisation is the notion of Web 2.0. This is a term crudely used to encompass the current online technological and cultural shift to a more interactive, social and user directed environment. However, the idea of phatic interaction, a key aspect of socialisation, is yet to be applied to this area and will therefore offer some interesting and novel possibilities, especially in the support of the elderly. It is the aim of this research to closely examine the potential Web 2.0 offers in the support of phatic interactions for the elderly.  « Short abstract

A great number of people are turning to online communities for social support, for anything from solving technical problems, dealing with depression or assisting in smoking cessation. Many studies of these existing communities have demonstrated the benefits of online social support. More recent studies have explored facilitating social support away from home or office computers using pervasive technologies such as mobile phones. Quitting smokers in particular, due to the highly situated nature of their problem, have a need for support 'in the real world' and have the potential to benefit from such pervasive social support solutions. Micro-blogging is the practice of sending a short 'blog' post to a centralised server. The posts, which can be sent via a web form, IM client or SMS, typically describe what an individual is doing or thinking and users are able to subscribe to each other's feeds and message each other directly. Micro-blogging services such as twitter and jaiku have the potential to offer much in the area of pervasive social support. They may address the issue of temporality (individuals getting support when they need it), allow users to reflect on their progress and keep sources of social support aware of their state, an awareness which may be used to provide direct support. Accordingly, it is the aim of this research to determine if micro-blogging can be used to increase levels of perceived social support.  « Short abstract

The American cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner identifies narrative as a key feature in how humans relate to and even construct the world: 'Narrative imitates life, life imitates narrative'. This talk will discuss theories, functions and elements of narrative as used in formal and informal domains. Earl Livings is a former mathematician who now lives as a poet, fiction writer, editor, and teacher of creative and professional writing. He will detail how narrative operates within his activities and suggest parallels for possible application in design methodologies for emerging Information and Communication Technologies. « Short abstract