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)

81 - 100 of 104 works

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

2004

Conference Publication

Observations in a maternity ward: Usability considerations for EHRs in an interrupt driven environment

Cooper, Roslyn, Viller, Stephen and Burmeister, Jay (2004). Observations in a maternity ward: Usability considerations for EHRs in an interrupt driven environment. 12th National Health Informatics Conference (HIC 2004), Brisbane, Australia, 25-27 July 2004. Melbourne, Australia: Health Informatics Society of Australia.

Observations in a maternity ward: Usability considerations for EHRs in an interrupt driven environment

2004

Journal Article

Engaging game characters: informing design with player perspectives

Drennan, Penelope, Viller, Stephen and Wyeth, Peta (2004). Engaging game characters: informing design with player perspectives. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 3166, 355-358. doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-28643-1_45

Engaging game characters: informing design with player perspectives

2004

Conference Publication

Engaging game characters: Informing design with player perspectives

Drennan, Penelope, Viller, Stephen and Wyeth, Peta (2004). Engaging game characters: Informing design with player perspectives. Third International Conference on Entertainment Computing, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 1-3 September 2004. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/b99837

Engaging game characters: Informing design with player perspectives

2004

Conference Publication

Observing architectural design: Improving the development of collaborative design environments

Simpson, Matthew and Viller, Stephen (2004). Observing architectural design: Improving the development of collaborative design environments. First International Conference on Cooperative Design, Visualisation and Engineering, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 19-22 September 2004. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

Observing architectural design: Improving the development of collaborative design environments

2004

Conference Publication

Representation of self-reported information during mobile field studies: Pilots and orienteers 2

Axup, J. C., Bidwell, N. and Viller, S. A. (2004). Representation of self-reported information during mobile field studies: Pilots and orienteers 2. The 2004 Conference for the Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (OZCHI), Wollongong, Australia, 22-24 November 2004. Wollongong, Australia: CHISIG.

Representation of self-reported information during mobile field studies: Pilots and orienteers 2

2003

Edited Outputs

OZCHI 2003: New Directions in Interaction: Information Environments, Media and Technology

Viller, Stephen and Wyeth, Peta eds. (2003). OZCHI 2003: New Directions in Interaction: Information Environments, Media and Technology. Annual Conference of CHISIG, the Computer Human Interaction Special Interest Group of the Ergonomics Society of Australia, Brisbane, Australia, 26th-28th November 2003. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland : Department of Civil Engineering.

OZCHI 2003: New Directions in Interaction: Information Environments, Media and Technology

2003

Book Chapter

Observation for Innovation

Lebbon, C., Rouncefield, M. and Viller, S. A. (2003). Observation for Innovation. Inclusive Design: Design for the Whole Population. (pp. 402-419) edited by J. Clarkson, R. Coleman, S. Keates and C. Lebbon. London, UK: Springer Verlag. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4471-0001-0_25

Observation for Innovation

2003

Conference Publication

Talking about watching: using the video card game and wiki-web technology to engage IT students in developing observational skills

Brereton, M. F., Donovan, J. W. and Viller, S. A. (2003). Talking about watching: using the video card game and wiki-web technology to engage IT students in developing observational skills. ACE 2003 - Computing Education 2003, Adelaide, Australia, 4-7 February 2003. Sydney, NSW Australia: Australian Computer Society.

Talking about watching: using the video card game and wiki-web technology to engage IT students in developing observational skills

2002

Conference Publication

Developing Professional Designers in Information Environments: A Problem-oriented Case Study Approach in Technology Education

O'Brien, M. and Viller, S. A. (2002). Developing Professional Designers in Information Environments: A Problem-oriented Case Study Approach in Technology Education. Learning in Technology Education Chellenges for the 21st Century, Parkroyal Hotel, Gold Coast, Australia, 5-7 December 2002. Griffith University Brisbane: Centre for Technology Education Research, Griffith University.

Developing Professional Designers in Information Environments: A Problem-oriented Case Study Approach in Technology Education

2002

Conference Publication

Finding patterns in the fieldwork

Martin, David, Rodden, Tom, Rouncefield, Mark, Sommerville, Ian and Viller, Stephen (2002). Finding patterns in the fieldwork. Seventh European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 16-20 September 2002, Bonn, Germany. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. doi: 10.1007/0-306-48019-0_3

Finding patterns in the fieldwork

2001

Conference Publication

Finding patterns in the fieldwork

Martin, David, Rodden, Tom, Rouncefield, Mark, Sommerville, Ian and Viller, Stephen (2001). Finding patterns in the fieldwork. Seventh European Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, Bonn, Germany, 16-20 September 2001. Berlin, Germany: Springer.

Finding patterns in the fieldwork

2000

Journal Article

Ethnographically informed analysis for software engineers

Viller, S and Sommerville, I (2000). Ethnographically informed analysis for software engineers. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 53 (1), 169-196. doi: 10.1006/ijhc.2000.0370

Ethnographically informed analysis for software engineers

2000

Journal Article

Patterns of home life: Informing design for domestic environments

Hughes, John, O'Brien, Jon, Rodden, Tom, Rouncefield, Mark and Viller, Stephen (2000). Patterns of home life: Informing design for domestic environments. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 4 (1), 25-38. doi: 10.1007/BF01613596

Patterns of home life: Informing design for domestic environments

1999

Journal Article

Managing process inconsistency using viewpoints

Sommerville, I, Sawyer, P and Viller, S (1999). Managing process inconsistency using viewpoints. Ieee Transactions On Software Engineering, 25 (6), 784-799. doi: 10.1109/32.824395

Managing process inconsistency using viewpoints

1999

Journal Article

Human factors in requirements engineering: A survey of human sciences literature relevant to the improvement of dependable systems development processes

Viller, S, Bowers, J and Rodden, T (1999). Human factors in requirements engineering: A survey of human sciences literature relevant to the improvement of dependable systems development processes. Interacting with Computers, 11 (6), 665-698. doi: 10.1016/S0953-5438(98)00049-6

Human factors in requirements engineering: A survey of human sciences literature relevant to the improvement of dependable systems development processes

1999

Journal Article

Capturing the benefits of requirements engineering

Sawyer, P, Sommerville, I and Viller, S (1999). Capturing the benefits of requirements engineering. Ieee Software, 16 (2), 78-+. doi: 10.1109/52.754057

Capturing the benefits of requirements engineering

1999

Journal Article

Coherence: An approach to representing ethnographic analyses in systems design

Viller, S and Sommerville, I (1999). Coherence: An approach to representing ethnographic analyses in systems design. Human-Computer Interaction, 14 (1-2), 9-41. doi: 10.1207/s15327051hci1401

Coherence: An approach to representing ethnographic analyses in systems design

1999

Conference Publication

Social analysis in the requirements engineering process: from ethnography to method

Viller, Stephen and Sommerville, Ian (1999). Social analysis in the requirements engineering process: from ethnography to method. 4th IEEE International Symposium on Requirement Engineering (RE 99), Limerick, Ireland, 7-11 June 1999. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/ISRE.1999.777980

Social analysis in the requirements engineering process: from ethnography to method

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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