Overview
Background
Dr Chelsea Dobbins is an Associate Professor within the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at The University of Queensland. She has a background in Software Engineering with expertise in Digital Signal Processing, Applied Machine Learning, and Human–Computer Interaction.
Her research focuses on the use of sensing technologies and intelligent data analysis to understand behaviour, emotion, and wellbeing, with applications spanning both human and animal contexts. In addition to her work on emotion detection using smartphones and wearable sensors within personal informatics and digital health, her research increasingly explores the use of computational technologies for animal conservation and welfare, including the application of machine learning, and mobile/embedded sensing to monitor behaviour and environmental interactions in animals.
Her work intersects areas such as affective computing, pervasive computing, digital health, conservation technology, bio‑inspired sensing, human–computer interaction, mobile and wearable sensors, and physiological computing.
Availability
- Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Liverpool John Moores University
- Doctor of Philosophy, Liverpool John Moores University
Research interests
-
Lifelogging and Affective Computing
My research interest lies at the intersection of lifelogging and affective computing, focusing on the use of mobile and wearable sensing technologies to capture continuous, real‑world data about behaviour, context, and experience. I investigate how multimodal lifelog data—such as physiological, behavioural, and contextual signals—can be analysed using signal processing and machine learning techniques to automatically detect and model emotion in naturalistic settings. This work aims to support a deeper understanding of affect, wellbeing, and long‑term patterns of experience within everyday life.
-
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
My research interest in Human–Computer Interaction focuses on the design and evaluation of interactive systems that leverage mobile, wearable, and sensing technologies to support human understanding, reflection, and wellbeing. I am particularly interested in how users engage with data‑driven systems in everyday contexts, and how human‑centred design principles can be applied to make complex sensor‑based and intelligent technologies interpretable, usable, and meaningful.
-
Technology for Wildlife Monitoring and Conservation
My research interest focuses on the use of computational and sensing technologies to support animal conservation and wildlife monitoring. I investigate how signal processing, machine learning, and mobile or embedded sensing systems can be applied to collect and analyse data on animal behaviour and environmental context in natural settings. This work emphasises non‑invasive, ethically informed, data‑driven approaches to understanding movement, behaviour, and wellbeing, with the aim of informing conservation and wildlife management practices.
-
Digital Health
My research interest in digital health focuses on the design and application of mobile, wearable, and pervasive technologies to support the monitoring, understanding, and improvement of health and wellbeing in real‑world settings. I investigate how multimodal sensor data can be analysed using signal processing and machine learning techniques to model behavioural and physiological patterns, with the aim of enabling early detection, personalised insights, and human‑centred digital health interventions.
Research impacts
Featured in Magazines
New Scientist ("Lifelogging: Even your home appliances could do it," Issue 2951) and Times Higher Education (issue 2137).
Media Coverage of Research Outputs
Case study featured on Shimmer's website.
Works
Search Professor Chelsea Dobbins’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Personal informatics and negative emotions during commuter driving: effects of data visualization on cardiovascular reactivity & mood
Fairclough, Stephen H. and Dobbins, Chelsea (2020). Personal informatics and negative emotions during commuter driving: effects of data visualization on cardiovascular reactivity & mood. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 144 102499, 102499. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2020.102499
Featured
2018
Conference Publication
Detecting Negative Emotions During Real-Life Driving via Dynamically Labelled Physiological Data
Dobbins, Chelsea and Fairclough, Stephen (2018). Detecting Negative Emotions During Real-Life Driving via Dynamically Labelled Physiological Data. 2018 IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops , Athens, Greece, 19-23 March 2018. Piscataway, NJ United States: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/percomw.2018.8480369
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Signal Processing of Multimodal Mobile Lifelogging Data towards Detecting Stress in Real-World Driving
Dobbins, Chelsea and Fairclough, Stephen (2018). Signal Processing of Multimodal Mobile Lifelogging Data towards Detecting Stress in Real-World Driving. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 18 (3) 8364592, 632-644. doi: 10.1109/tmc.2018.2840153
Featured
2017
Conference Publication
A mobile lifelogging platform to measure anxiety and anger during real-life driving
Dobbins, Chelsea and Fairclough, Stephen (2017). A mobile lifelogging platform to measure anxiety and anger during real-life driving. 2017 IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops, Big Island, HI, USA, 13-17 March 2017. Piscataway, NJ, USA: IEEE. doi: 10.1109/percomw.2017.7917583
2026
Journal Article
Detection of social connectedness in everyday life via multimodal lifelogging data
Dobbins, Chelsea, Fairclough, Stephen, Haslam, Catherine, Haslam, S. Alexander and Bentley, Sarah (2026). Detection of social connectedness in everyday life via multimodal lifelogging data. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 209 103749, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2026.103749
2025
Conference Publication
Conversational agents that don’t pretend to care: co-designing mediator roles in digital healthcare interventions
Hou, Mengyan, Porter-Steele, Janine, Balaam, Sarah, Chiu, Vivian, McCarthy, Sandie, Dobbins, Chelsea and Viller, Stephen (2025). Conversational agents that don’t pretend to care: co-designing mediator roles in digital healthcare interventions. 37th Australian Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Gadigal (Sydney), NSW, Australia, 29 November - 3 December 2025. New York, NY, United States: ACM. doi: 10.1145/3764687.3764692
2025
Book Chapter
A social cure for loneliness
La Rue, Crystal J., Haslam, Catherine, Cruwys, Tegan, Haslam, S. Alexander, Jetten, Jolanda, Wergin, V. Vanessa, Steffens, Niklas K., Hides, Leanne, Connelly, Luke, Jean Spinks and Dobbins, Chelsea (2025). A social cure for loneliness. The Handbook of Loneliness. (pp. 511-529) edited by Todd Nelson. Cham, Switerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-02959-1_31
2025
Conference Publication
FHIR project-based training for Australia’s digital health workforce
Braunstein, Mark, Dobbins, Chelsea, Steel, Jim and Hansen, David (2025). FHIR project-based training for Australia’s digital health workforce. 29th Australasian Institute of Digital Health’s Health Innovation Community (HIC2025) Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 18-20 August 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press. doi: 10.3233/shti251567
2025
Journal Article
Differentiating presence in virtual reality using physiological signals
Saha, Shuvodeep, Dobbins, Chelsea, Gupta, Anubha and Dey, Arindam (2025). Differentiating presence in virtual reality using physiological signals. Pervasive and Mobile Computing, 111 102065, 102065-111. doi: 10.1016/j.pmcj.2025.102065
2025
Other Outputs
Conversational agent mediator design bundle
Hou, Mengyan, Viller, Stephen, Dobbins, Chelsea, Porter-Steele, Janine, Balaam, Sarah and McCarthy, Sandie (2025). Conversational agent mediator design bundle. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland.
2025
Conference Publication
Heart rate variability: an early biomarker of cystic fibrosis exacerbation
Mattison, G., Dobbins, C., Smith, D., Reid, D., Canfell, O., Sullivan, C., Toyras, J., Okano, S., Pelecanos, A., Hartel, G. and Forrester, D. (2025). Heart rate variability: an early biomarker of cystic fibrosis exacerbation. TSANZSRS Annual Scientific meeting 2025, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 21-25 March 2025. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/imj.70003
2024
Conference Publication
Using co-design to develop a digital lifestyle intervention for adolescents and young adults after cancer
Walker, S., Bradford, N., Chiu, V., Davis, E., McDonald, F., Allison, K., Ling, J., Hou, K., Dobbins, C., Viller, S., Smith, S., Porter-Steele, J., Chan, R. and McCarthy, S. (2024). Using co-design to develop a digital lifestyle intervention for adolescents and young adults after cancer. 6th Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 3-6 December 2025.
2024
Journal Article
Machine learning based classification of presence utilizing psychophysiological signals in immersive virtual environments
Saha, Shuvodeep, Dobbins, Chelsea, Gupta, Anubha and Dey, Arindam (2024). Machine learning based classification of presence utilizing psychophysiological signals in immersive virtual environments. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 21667, 1-17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72376-1
2024
Journal Article
“An excellent servant but a terrible master”: understanding the value of wearables for self-management in people with cystic fibrosis and their healthcare providers – a qualitative study
Mattison, Graeme, Canfell, Oliver J., Smith, Daniel, Forrester, Doug, Reid, David, Töyräs, Juha and Dobbins, Chelsea (2024). “An excellent servant but a terrible master”: understanding the value of wearables for self-management in people with cystic fibrosis and their healthcare providers – a qualitative study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 189 105532, 105532. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105532
2024
Conference Publication
Understanding the perceived value of wearables in cystic fibrosis care
Mattison, G., Forrester, D., Smith, D., Reid, D., Canfell, O. and Dobbins, C. (2024). Understanding the perceived value of wearables in cystic fibrosis care. TSANZSRS 2024 The Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health and Respiratory Science, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 22–26 March 2024. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Journal Article
Factors Influencing Integration and Usability of Model-Informed Precision Dosing Software in the Intensive Care Unit
Chai, Ming G., Roberts, Natasha A., Dobbins, Chelsea, Roberts, Jason A. and Cotta, Menino O. (2024). Factors Influencing Integration and Usability of Model-Informed Precision Dosing Software in the Intensive Care Unit. Applied Clinical Informatics, 15 (2), 388-396. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1786978
2024
Conference Publication
Using wearables to characterise pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis
Mattison, G., Forrester, D., Smith, D., Reid, D. and Dobbins, C. (2024). Using wearables to characterise pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis. TSANZSRS 2024 The Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 22–26 March 2024. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
CBL on FHIR: A FHIR-Based Platform for Health Professional Education
Braunstein, Mark, Barry, Ben, Steel, Jim, Ukovich, Deanne, Grimes, John, Conlan, David, Jones, Sophie, Dobbins, Chelsea and Hansen, David (2024). CBL on FHIR: A FHIR-Based Platform for Health Professional Education. 19th World Congress on Medical and Health Informatics - MEDINFO 2023, Sydney, NSW Australia, 8 - 12 July 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press. doi: 10.3233/shti231148
2024
Journal Article
EmotionAware 2024: Eighth International Workshop on Emotion Awareness for Pervasive Computing Beyond Traditional Approaches - Welcome and Committees
David, Klaus, Dobbins, Chelsea, Heinisch, Judith, Okoshi, Tadashi, Dupré, Damien, Gaggioli, Andrea, Gao, Nan, Peltonen, Ella, Sugaya, Midori, Tag, Benjamin, Van Laerhoven, Kristof, Mariani, Stefano and Sigg, Stephan (2024). EmotionAware 2024: Eighth International Workshop on Emotion Awareness for Pervasive Computing Beyond Traditional Approaches - Welcome and Committees. 2024 IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications Workshops and other Affiliated Events, PerCom Workshops 2024, 23-24. doi: 10.1109/PerComWorkshops59983.2024.10502380
2023
Conference Publication
Multi-modal classification of cognitive load in a VR-based training system
Bhat, Srikrishna S., Dobbins, Chelsea, Dey, Arindam and Sharma, Ojaswa (2023). Multi-modal classification of cognitive load in a VR-based training system. 2023 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), Sydney, Australia, 16-20 October 2023. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/ismar59233.2023.00065
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Detection of negative emotions using wearable sensors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Catherine Haslam
-
Doctor Philosophy
Volume and Flow assessment of fluids through micro-vibration characterisation: application towards Cardiovascular Health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo
-
Doctor Philosophy
A mobile health intervention for promoting light and moderate intensity physical activity among young cancer survivors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Viller
-
Doctor Philosophy
Augmented Human Operations: Using XR and AI in Remote Challenging Environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jarrod Knibbe, Associate Professor Maxime Cordeil
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improved Safety and Optimize Productivity with AI in a Manufacturing Environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
Completed supervision
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Cognitively Adaptive Training Systems in Virtual Reality
Principal Advisor
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating Wearable Devices into the Patient-Centred Digital Healthcare Environment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Juha Toyras
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a Wearable Sensor-based Ergonomic Monitoring System for Aviation Manufacturing Workers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Matthew D'Souza
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Associate Professor Chelsea Dobbins's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: