Associate Professor Stephen Viller
Associate Professor

Stephen Viller

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51190

Background

Human-centred design of interactive systems

Stephen Viller is a researcher and educator in human-centred design methods, particularly applied to designing social, domestic and mobile computing technologies, and understanding how people's interactions in everyday settings inform the design of such technologies. He has over 20 years of experience in Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), Interaction Design, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research, where he has focused on bridging disciplines and perspectives. He has concentrated on qualitative methods, particularly observational fieldwork, contextual interviews, diary studies and field trips, but also increasingly on more ‘designerly’ approaches such as cultural probes, low-fidelity prototypes, rapid prototyping and sketching.

Stephen is an Associate Professor and leader of the Human-Centred Computing discipline in the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, and UQ's Theme Leader for the Digital Worlds and Disruptive Technologies theme in the QUEX Institute. From 2016-2019 he was the Director of Coursework Studies (Chair of T&L committee) and from 2011-2016 he was Program Director of the Bachelor of Multimedia Design and Master of Interaction Design. His publications span various interdisciplinary journals and conferences in HCI/CSCW and technology design. He has a BSc (Hons) Computation (UMIST), MSc Cognitive Science (Manchester) and PhD Computing (Lancaster).

Availability

Associate Professor Stephen Viller is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Affective computing Built Environment and Design Collaborative and social computing Communication and media studies Design Distributed computing and systems software Education Educational technology and computing Fairness, accountability, transparency, trust and ethics of computer systems Graphics, augmented reality and games Human-centred computing Human-computer interaction Information and Computing Sciences Information visualisation Language, Communication and Culture Library and information studies Mobile computing Organisational, interpersonal and intercultural communication Pervasive computing Requirements engineering Social and community informatics Social robotics Software engineering Specialist studies in education Virtual and mixed reality

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Computer Science, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology
  • Masters (Coursework) of Cognitive Science, The University of Manchester
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Computer-Human Interaction, The University of Lancaster

Research interests

  • Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW)

    I am interested in all aspects of the understanding of social interaction, methods of studying people in social settings, and informing the design of social technologies.

  • Interaction Design

    I am interested in people-centred methods for informing the design of interactive technologies. In particular, I explore how methods from other disciplines can be adopted and adapted to improve the software design process.

  • Emerging technologies

    Technology is only really interesting to me in terms of what it allows people to achieve. I am interested in various technologies in order to prototype and explore novel applications to solve problems in specific contexts. Current technologies I am working with include Internet of Things (IoT), Mixed and Augmented Reality (AR), Physical Computing, and mobile social software.

  • Application contexts

    Interaction design research takes place in everyday settings where we can understand current practice/activities and prototype and evaluate solutions. My research has involved a wide range of contexts, including dependable and safety-critical systems, office work, tourism, health, behaviour change, and education. In all these domains, my approach is to inform the design of technologies that not only meet the functional and usability needs/requirements of the people in the context, but that are also technologies that people would actually want to use.

Search Professor Stephen Viller’s works on UQ eSpace

104 works between 1991 and 2024
All (104) Journal Article (21) Book Chapter (7) Conference Publication (68) Other Outputs (5) Edited Outputs (3)

61 - 80 of 104 works

2009

Conference Publication

The social life of visualization

Macdonald, Hugh, Yuille, Jeremy, Stanton, Reuben and Viller, Stephen (2009). The social life of visualization. 21st Annual Conference of the Australian Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group - Design: Open 24/7, OZCHI '09, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 23 - 27 November 2009. New York, NY United States: ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Press. doi: 10.1145/1738826.1738858

The social life of visualization

2008

Conference Publication

Cross-channel mobile social software: An empirical study

Heyer, Clint, Brereton, Margot and Viller, Stephen (2008). Cross-channel mobile social software: An empirical study. 26th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Florence, Italy, 5-10 April 2008. New York, U.S.A.: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/1357054.1357294

Cross-channel mobile social software: An empirical study

2008

Conference Publication

Spontaneous scenarios: an approach to user engagement

Yuille, Jeremy, Vaughan, Laurene, Rittenbruch, Markus, Viller, Stephen and MacColl, Ian (2008). Spontaneous scenarios: an approach to user engagement. Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Florence, Italy, 5 - 10 April 2008. New York, NY, USA: ACM. doi: 10.1145/1358628.1358642

Spontaneous scenarios: an approach to user engagement

2008

Conference Publication

Zebra: Exploring users' engagement in fieldwork

Riche, Yann, Simpson, Matthew and Viller, Stephen (2008). Zebra: Exploring users' engagement in fieldwork. 7th ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems - DIS 2008, Cape Town, South Africa, 25-27 February 2008. New York, USA: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/1394445.1394451

Zebra: Exploring users' engagement in fieldwork

2008

Conference Publication

Evoking gesture in interactive art

Morrison, Ann, Mitchell, Peta and Viller, Stephen A. (2008). Evoking gesture in interactive art. 2008 ACM International Conference on Multimedia, Vancouver, Canada, 27-31 October 2008. New York, U.S.A.: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). doi: 10.1145/1462027.1462030

Evoking gesture in interactive art

2007

Journal Article

Show and tell: Accessing and communicating implicit knowledge through artefacts

Akama, Yoko, Cooper, Roslyn, Vaughan, Laurene, Viller, Stephen, Simpson, Matthew and Yuille , Jeremy (2007). Show and tell: Accessing and communicating implicit knowledge through artefacts. Artifact, 1 (3), 172-181. doi: 10.1080/17493460701800207

Show and tell: Accessing and communicating implicit knowledge through artefacts

2007

Journal Article

Announcing activity: Design and evaluation of an intentionally enriched awareness service

Rittenbruch, M., Viller, S. and Mansfield, T. (2007). Announcing activity: Design and evaluation of an intentionally enriched awareness service. Human-computer Interaction, 22 (1-2), 137-171. doi: 10.1080/07370020701307930

Announcing activity: Design and evaluation of an intentionally enriched awareness service

2007

Conference Publication

Theatrical place in a 3D CVE: An online performance of plato's allegory of the cave in a distributed 3D CVE.

Wyeld, T., Prasolova-Forland, E. and Viller, S. (2007). Theatrical place in a 3D CVE: An online performance of plato's allegory of the cave in a distributed 3D CVE.. International Conference on Computing in the Global Information Technology (ICCGI 2007), Guadeloupe, French Caribbean, 4-9 March, 2007. Los Alamitos, CA, USA: IEEE.

Theatrical place in a 3D CVE: An online performance of plato's allegory of the cave in a distributed 3D CVE.

2007

Conference Publication

I don't get out of bed until my PIM tells me to.

Viller, S. and Morrison, A. (2007). I don't get out of bed until my PIM tells me to.. International Workshop on Social Ineraction and Mundane Technologies., Melbourne, Australia, 26-27 November, 2007. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Microsoft Research.

I don't get out of bed until my PIM tells me to.

2007

Journal Article

Design Plus People: An approach to interaction design projects

Vaughan, L., Viller, S., Simpson, M., Akama, Y., Yuille, J. and Cooper, R. (2007). Design Plus People: An approach to interaction design projects. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, 1 (4), 31-38.

Design Plus People: An approach to interaction design projects

2006

Journal Article

Sampling mobile opinion: a contextual postcard questionnaire study

Axup, Jeff and Viller, Stephen (2006). Sampling mobile opinion: a contextual postcard questionnaire study. First Monday, 11 (9). doi: 10.5210/fm.v11i9.1402

Sampling mobile opinion: a contextual postcard questionnaire study

2006

Conference Publication

Design for Inspiration: Children, personal connections and educational technology

Wyeth, P., Diercke, C. and Viller, S. A. (2006). Design for Inspiration: Children, personal connections and educational technology. OZCHI 2006: The 18th Conference of the Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group of Australia on Computer-Human Interaction, Sydney, Australia, 20-24 November 2006. Sydney, Australia: CHISIG. doi: 10.1145/1228175.1228247

Design for Inspiration: Children, personal connections and educational technology

2006

Conference Publication

Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, UbiComp 2006

Axup, Jeff, Viller, Stephen, MacColl, Ian and Cooper, Roslyn (2006). Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, UbiComp 2006. UbiComp 2006: The Eighth International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, Orange City, CA, United States, 17-21 September 2006. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/11853565_21

Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing, UbiComp 2006

2006

Edited Outputs

The object of interaction: the role of artefacts in interaction design

Simpson, Matthew, Viller, Stephen, Vaughan, Laurene, Yuille, Jeremy, Akama, Yoko and Cooper, Rosyln eds. (2006). The object of interaction: the role of artefacts in interaction design. Annual Conference of the Australian Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (OZCHI 2006), UTS, Sydney, Australia, 22-24 November, 2006.

The object of interaction: the role of artefacts in interaction design

2006

Conference Publication

Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers

Axup, Jeff, Viller, Stephen, MacColl, Ian and Cooper, Roslyn (2006). Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers. 8th International Conference on Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp 2006), Orange County, CA, United States, 17-21 September 2006. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/11853565_21

Lo-Fi matchmaking: A study of social pairing for backpackers

2005

Journal Article

The studio scenario: Experiential learning in the Information Environments Program

Docherty, M. J., Brereton, M. F., MacColl, I. D., Viller, S. A. and Simpson, M. R. (2005). The studio scenario: Experiential learning in the Information Environments Program. The Professional Educator, 4 (1), 27-29.

The studio scenario: Experiential learning in the Information Environments Program

2005

Conference Publication

Usability of a mobile, group communication prototype while rendezvousing

Axup, Jeff C., Viller, Stephen A. and Bidwell, Nicole J. (2005). Usability of a mobile, group communication prototype while rendezvousing. International Symposium on Collaborative Technologies and Systems, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, 15-20 May 2005. Los Alamitos, CA, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.. doi: 10.1109/ISCST.2005.1553290

Usability of a mobile, group communication prototype while rendezvousing

2005

Conference Publication

Watching ourselves watching: Ethical issues in ethnographic action research

MacColl, I. D., Cooper, R. E., Rittenbruch, M. and Viller, S. A. (2005). Watching ourselves watching: Ethical issues in ethnographic action research. OZCHI05, Canberra, Australia, 21-25 November 2005. Narrabundah, Australia: CHISIG.

Watching ourselves watching: Ethical issues in ethnographic action research

2005

Conference Publication

Formative research methods for the extremely mobile: Supporting community interaction amongst backpackers

Axup, J. C. and Viller, S. A. (2005). Formative research methods for the extremely mobile: Supporting community interaction amongst backpackers. Workshop on Appropriate Methods for Design in Complex and Sensitive Settings, Canberra, Australia, 22 November 2005. Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne.

Formative research methods for the extremely mobile: Supporting community interaction amongst backpackers

2005

Conference Publication

Reflections on reflection: Blogging in undergraduate design studios

MacColl, I. D., Morrison, A. J., Muhlberger, R. M., Simpson, M. R., Viller, S. A. and Wyeld, T. G. (2005). Reflections on reflection: Blogging in undergraduate design studios. Blogtalk Downunder, Sydney, Australia, 19-22 May 2005. Sydney, Australia: INCSUB.

Reflections on reflection: Blogging in undergraduate design studios

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    XR Safety Training for Crisis Situations
    CSIRO
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    The Enhancing Women's Recovery after Cancer Treatment Program (RECENTRE): A values-based implementation and evaluation
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Redback Smart Monitoring Platform (Advance Queensland Platform Technology Program grant administered by Redback Operations Pty Ltd)
    Redback Technologies Australia
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    COMPASS - passport processing research project
    Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Home EnergyCoach: Driving energy efficient behaviours through interactive technologies
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Green robots, sustainable cities and inquiring minds: Young children engineer robots to create cities of the future
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2010
    Accessible Interactions
    Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Urban Interfaces
    Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2009
    Suburban Communities
    Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    Virtual Communities
    Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    HDM Touchstone
    Australasian CRC for Interaction Design
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Human-centred design of ubiquitous computing systems
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Stephen Viller is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Generative AI in Social Service Organisations

    Generative AI provides new opportunities for social service organizations in internal operations and in providing service delivery. While there are considerable risks, through collaborative co-designing and deploying such tools in an ethical, responsible and safe manner, generative AI tools can support human professionals and service users for enhanced greater wellbeing outcomes.

    Working in a multi-disciplinary research team, this project involves working with a social service organization (to be determined with the candidate and advisors) to identify, co-design and pilot generative AI tools.

    You will require a demonstrated interest in connecting technology with social science.

    Please follow the link for more details and instructions for applying for this project

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Designing for location dependence: a framework for design

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Ben Matthews

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Trust vs Disgust: The Believability and Trustworthiness of Digital Characters

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Mashhuda Glencross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Mixed reality collaborative learning environment for use in distance education for professional development

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marie Boden

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A mobile health intervention for promoting light and moderate intensity physical activity among young cancer survivors

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins, Professor Sandie McCarthy

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Designing for location dependence: a framework for design

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Ben Matthews

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Positive Tipping Points Driving Clean Energy Adoption

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Mashhuda Glencross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Positive Tipping Points Driving Clean Energy Adoption

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Mashhuda Glencross

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Weaving Tech and Teach: A Participatory Design Exploration with Primary School Teachers

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Ben Matthews

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Extreme Analytics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gianluca Demartini, Dr Jarrod Knibbe, Dr Maxime Cordeil

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Fostering Making Practices in People from Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dhaval Vyas

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring Emotional and Cognitive Effects of Heterogeneous Mixed Reality Remote Collaboration

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Ben Matthews

  • Master Philosophy

    Critical Making and Design Ethics: A Foucauldian Perspective on Surveillance, Control and Biopower in Designed Digital Interactivity

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dhaval Vyas

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Fostering Making Practices in People from Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dhaval Vyas

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Stephen Viller directly for media enquiries about:

  • Computer Supported Cooperative Work - CSCW
  • Engineering - ITEE
  • Human-centred design - ITEE
  • Human-Computer Interaction - HCI
  • Interaction Design - IxD
  • Interactive technologies - ITEE
  • ITEE - engineering
  • Mixed Reality
  • Mobile social software MoSoSo
  • Physical Computing
  • Requirements Engineering - RE
  • Social software - ITEE
  • Ubiquitous Computing - UbiComp
  • User Experience Design

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