Overview
Background
Dr. Dhaval Vyas is a Senior Lecturer in the Human-Centred Computing discipline - a former ARC DECRA Fellow (2018-2022) and. He is a part of the Compassion Lab research group. His research spans the areas of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). In particular, he focuses on designing IT tools to support health and wellbeing of under-resourced communities. He has worked in academia and industry for over 15 years. He received a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from University of Twente, the Netherlands; a master’s degree in Computer Science from Lancaster University, UK; and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Gujarat University, India.
Availability
- Dr Dhaval Vyas is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Twente
Research interests
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Compassion Lab: Designing for Under-served Communities
The Compassion Lab focuses on developing technologies for under-served communities in order to bring about social change, and improvement to their health and wellbeing. It has a strong user-centric focus that aims to study issues at the grass-root level using ethnography and involve people in the design and development of technological solutions. Target Domains and Communities: - Low SES Communities - Refugees and Asylum Seekers - Women in Crisis Situations - Rural Communities in Developing Countries - Older Adults
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Disabilities, Health and Wellbeing Tech
How can technologies provide the right kind of support to individuals going through various disabilities and health conditions? Using Virtual Reality (VR), storytelling and other forms of pervasive technologies are developed to provide adequate support. We work on the following topics: - Independent living for people with paraplegia - Mental health support for low SES community members - Enhancing social interactions in older adults
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Fostering DIY and ‘Making’ in Undeserved Communities
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and makerspace movements have shown the potential for high-tech innovation, democratizing production and creativity, and revamping of economies and broken educational systems. However, within HCI, the focus has mainly been on more affluent and technology-savvy population. HCI lacks the narrative on how DIY and making practices are associated with economically disadvantaged members of the community. In particular, the role of innovation hubs such as makerspaces and community-based social enterprises in uplifting the economically disadvantaged needs to be thoroughly investigated. In collaboration with makerspaces that involve economically struggling members of the community and job seekers, this project aims to investigate DIY and making practices of LSE members and develop a counter-narrative on makerspaces and its inclusiveness.
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Quantified Self & Activity Tracking for Healthy Living
Within the research topics of Quantified Self (QS) and Activity Tracking, I have been focusing on supporting engaging social experiences for users; rather than on behavior change. A set of Android-based applications is developed in workplace settings to support activity tracking and fitness promotion. The aim is to enable employees to interweave activity tracking in their everyday routines and enable engaging social interactions in workplaces.
Research impacts
A project management application developed in my ARC DECRA project has been in use at the Sunnybank Men’s Shed, since July 2020. The application allows members to coordinate various activities around the shed.
My ARC DECRA project has generated a great interest in e-waste recycling and social entrepreneurship through various media articles:
- ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-17/using-ewaste-to-build-3d-printers-and-electric-bikes-brisbane/9449604
- Channel Ten: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyze2_gSvyY
My research supported by the UQ Cyber Seed funding has led to enhancements in the design of the AI suit that our industry partner – Ariel Care Pty Ltd is building. Building functionalities around moisture detection and hoisting capabilities on smart beds were specific contributions of my research. This project and the role of UQ has been well discussed on the ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-25/are-high-tech-homes-the-future-for-assisted-living/101695802
Works
Search Professor Dhaval Vyas’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Conference Publication
Bug reproduction: a collaborative practice within software maintenance activities
Vyas, Dhaval, Fritz, Thomas and Shepherd, David (2014). Bug reproduction: a collaborative practice within software maintenance activities. 1th International Conference on the Design of Cooperative Systems, Nice, France, 27-30 May 2014. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-06498-7_12
2014
Conference Publication
Non-formal techniques for early assessment of design ideas for services
Van Der Veer, Gerrit C. and Vyas, Dhaval (2014). Non-formal techniques for early assessment of design ideas for services. 7th IFIP WG 13.7 Workshops on Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization, HCIV@ECCE 2011 and 8th Workshops on Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization, HCIV@INTERACT 2011, Lisbon, Portugal, September 5 2011. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-54894-9_10
2013
Journal Article
Creative practices in the design studio culture: collaboration and communication
Vyas, Dhaval, van der Veer, Gerrit and Nijholt, Anton (2013). Creative practices in the design studio culture: collaboration and communication. Cognition, Technology and Work, 15 (4), 415-443. doi: 10.1007/s10111-012-0232-9
2013
Journal Article
Ethnographic notes on visualization practices in tissue engineering research
Vyas, Dhaval (2013). Ethnographic notes on visualization practices in tissue engineering research. Cognition, Technology and Work, 15 (4), 373-388. doi: 10.1007/s10111-012-0238-3
2013
Conference Publication
Geo-locked Photo Sharing on Mobile Devices
Vyas, Dhaval, Keijl, Edwin, op den Akker, Rieks, Nijholt, Anton and Van Der Veer, Gerrit (2013). Geo-locked Photo Sharing on Mobile Devices. 31st Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: CHI EA 2013, Paris, France, 27 April - 2 May 2013. Washington, DC United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/2468356.2468607
2013
Conference Publication
Ethnography of software maintenance activities in an industrial engineering setup
Vyas, Dhaval (2013). Ethnography of software maintenance activities in an industrial engineering setup. APCHI '13: 11th Asia Pacific Conference on Computer Human Interaction, Bangalore, India, September 2013. Washington, DC United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/2525194.2525269
2013
Conference Publication
Technique for evaluating photo sharing interfaces with the early prototypes - Group simulation
Ojala, Jarno Aulis Olavi, Vyas, Dhaval and Lehtiniemi, Arto Juhani (2013). Technique for evaluating photo sharing interfaces with the early prototypes - Group simulation. SouthCHI: International Conference on Human Factors in Computing and Informatics 2013, Maribor, Slovenia, 1-3 July 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-39062-3_3
2013
Conference Publication
Practices surrounding event photos
Vyas, Dhaval, Nijholt, Anton and Van Der Veer, Gerrit (2013). Practices surrounding event photos. 14th IFIP TC 13 International Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 2-6 September 2013. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-40498-6_4
2013
Journal Article
Canopy level estimations of chlorophyll and LAI for two tropical species (teak and bamboo) from Hyperion (EO1) data
Vyas, Dhaval, Christian, Binal and Krishnayya, N. S. R. (2013). Canopy level estimations of chlorophyll and LAI for two tropical species (teak and bamboo) from Hyperion (EO1) data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 34 (5), 1676-1690. doi: 10.1080/01431161.2012.725484
2012
Conference Publication
Smart material interfaces : a new form of physical interaction
Vyas, Dhaval, Poelman, Wim, Nijholt, Anton and De Bruijn, Arnout (2012). Smart material interfaces : a new form of physical interaction. CHI '12 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Austin, TX USA, 5-10 May 2012. New York, NY, USA: ACM Press. doi: 10.1145/2212776.2223699
2012
Conference Publication
Smart material interfaces: A vision
Minuto, Andrea, Vyas, Dhaval, Poelman, Wim and Nijholt, Anton (2012). Smart material interfaces: A vision. 4th International ICST Conference, INTETAIN 2011, Genova, Italy, 25-27 May 2011. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-30214-5_7
2012
Conference Publication
Producing while consuming: social interaction around photos shared within private group
Vyas, Dhaval, Cui, Yanqing, Ojala, Jarno and Grassel, Guido (2012). Producing while consuming: social interaction around photos shared within private group. 9th International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment (ACE 2012), Kathmandu, Nepal, 3-5 November 2012. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-34292-9_10
2012
Conference Publication
Modeling and analysis of quadrotor using sliding mode control
Patel, Ankit R., Patel, Mahesh A. and Vyas, Dhaval R. (2012). Modeling and analysis of quadrotor using sliding mode control. 44th IEEE Southeastern Symposium on System Theory (SSST), Jacksonville, FL, United States, 11-13 March, 2012. Washington, DC, United States: IEEE.
2012
Conference Publication
Domestic artefacts: Sustainability in the context of Indian Middle Class
Vyas, Dhaval (2012). Domestic artefacts: Sustainability in the context of Indian Middle Class. 4th Association for Computing Machinery's International Conference on Intercultural Collaboration, ICIC 2012, Bengaluru, India, 21-23 March 2012. New York, NY United States: Association for Computing Machinery. doi: 10.1145/2160881.2160900
2012
Journal Article
Artful surfaces: an ethnographic study exploring the use of space in design studios
Vyas, Dhaval and Nijholt, Anton (2012). Artful surfaces: an ethnographic study exploring the use of space in design studios. Digital Creativity, 23 (3-4), 176-195. doi: 10.1080/14626268.2012.658522
2012
Conference Publication
Practices surrounding children's photos in homes
Vyas, Dhaval, van der Veer, Gerrit, Nijholt, Anton and Grassel, Guido (2012). Practices surrounding children's photos in homes. ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Austin, TX, United States, 5-10 May 2012. New York, NY, United States: ACM Press. doi: 10.1145/2212776.2223762
2012
Conference Publication
Variational Analysis and Sequential Quadratic Programming Approach for Robotics
Patel, Ankit R., Patel, Mahesh A. and Vyas, Dhaval R. (2012). Variational Analysis and Sequential Quadratic Programming Approach for Robotics. 2nd International Conference on Computer, Communication, Control and Information Technology (C3IT), India, 25-26 February 2012. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.protcy.2012.05.102
2011
Conference Publication
Task modeling for collaborative authoring
Veer, Gerrit V. D., Kulyk, Olga, Vyas, Dhaval, Kubbe, Onno and Ebert, Achim (2011). Task modeling for collaborative authoring. 29th European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics, ECCE 2011, , , August 24, 2011-August 26, 2011. New York, NY, USA: ACM. doi: 10.1145/2074712.2074746
2011
Journal Article
Evaluation of classifiers for processing Hyperion (EO-1) data of tropical vegetation
Vyas, Dhaval, Krishnayya, N. S. R., Manjunath, K. R., Ray, S. S. and Panigrahy, Sushma (2011). Evaluation of classifiers for processing Hyperion (EO-1) data of tropical vegetation. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 13 (2), 228-235. doi: 10.1016/j.jag.2010.11.007
2011
Other Outputs
Designing for awareness: from an experience-focused HCI perspective
Vyas, Dhaval (2011). Designing for awareness: from an experience-focused HCI perspective. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, University of Twente. doi: 10.3990/1.9789036531351
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Dhaval Vyas is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Fostering “Making” Practices in People from Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds - PhD scholarship
This project aims to foster making and DIY (do-it-yourself) practices in low socioeconomic status (SES) communities. Working closely with an e-waste recycling makerspace based in Brisbane, this project will study the existing practices of makers from low SES and involve them in co-designing a technology that will help them in their future making activities.
Outcomes of this project will include:
- An alternative narrative on makerspaces, backed by empirical data, on the role DIY and making practices play within low SES communities.
- An innovative co-design method that will involve ‘making workshops’ to bootstrap development of ideas for empowerment and creativity.
- Self-made, DIY technology prototypes that support low SES members in their specific needs.
- A theory of ‘Creative Collaboration’ for engaging people from low SES backgrounds in DIY and making practices.
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Connecting Making and Health in Communal Makerspaces - PhD Scholarship
This PhD project will be part of an Australian Research Council grant. The project aims to understand connections between making and health, and explores ways through designing technologies to support and foster making. It aims to study communal maker organizations such as men’s shed, women’s craft groups, and library-based maker organizations.
Outcomes of this project will include:
- An empirical understanding of creative collaborative practices at communal makerspaces, using participatory and ethnographic approaches.
- A theory that establishes relationship between health and making.
- A user-centric technology that enables and fosters making in communal settings.
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Designing for Under-served Communities (Multiple opportunities)
I am looking for PhD, Master's and Bachelor's students to work on a wide range of projects.
The Compassion Lab focuses on developing technologies for under-served communities in order to bring about social change, and improvement to their health and wellbeing. It has a strong user-centric focus that aims to study issues at the grass-root level using ethnography and involve people in the design and development of technological solutions.
Target Domains and Communities (including but not limited to):
- Low SES Communities
- Refugees and Asylum Seekers
- Women in Crisis Situations
- Rural Communities in Developing Countries
- Older Adults
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing Digital Technologies for Grassroots Sustainable Practices in Eco-Villages
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Paola Leardini, Dr Fred Fialho Leandro Alves Teixeira
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Master Philosophy
IoT and Smart Homes for People with Disabilities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Marie Boden
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Doctor Philosophy
Using Human-Centered Design Approach to Support Refugee Entrepreneurial Pathways
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Viller
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Doctor Philosophy
Human-Centered Independent Living for People with Paraplegia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melanie Hoyle, Dr Wei Qi Koh
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing inclusive and culturally sensitive design guidelines for AI-enabled smart homes for people with disabilities in developing countries, based on local needs, preferences, and values
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tim Miller, Associate Professor Guangdong Bai
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Master Philosophy
Critical Making and Design Ethics: A Foucauldian Perspective on Surveillance, Control and Biopower in Designed Digital Interactivity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stephen Viller
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Doctor Philosophy
Designing technologies for newly-arrived humanitarian entrants: Fostering a sense of home during early-stage resettlement
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Aparna Hebbani
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Leapfrogging women who are refugees and migrants (WRAMs) into STEM skills through Makerspaces
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
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2023
Master Philosophy
Making for Others: Connecting Men's Sheds and Society Through "Making"
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Worthy
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Dhaval Vyas directly for media enquiries about:
- CSCW
- Human Computer Interaction
- Makerspace
- MobileHCI
- Ubiquitous Computing
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