As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what has been a good and productive year for the HTO (Human-Technology-Organization) research group.

A Year of Ideas and Impact

This year, we published around 40 blog posts, each highlighting different aspects of our research, collaborations, and reflections. From exploring the intersection of AI and work environments to celebrating milestones like conferences and thesis defenses, our blog has been a window into the exciting journey of the HTO group in 2024.

One publication examined why patients choose to engage with their health records—or not. Alongside a review of IT tools for informal caregivers, these studies underline the real-world impact of our research, tackling challenges that resonate with people’s everyday lives.

We also celebrated a significant milestone: on September 13th, Shweta Premanandan defended her PhD thesis, Care for Caregivers: Designing IT Applications for Informal Caregivers. This achievement marked the culmination of years of dedication and a substantial contribution to the field.

Connecting and Growing Through Events

A highlight of the year was hosting NordiCHI 2024 in Uppsala, bringing together over 300 participants from across the globe. With the theme “Live – Uniting HCI for a Hyperlocal World,” this event showcased the best of human-computer interaction research and practice.

We also presented at the AHFE conference in Nice, shared findings at Gilla Jobbet in Malmö, and hosted workshops like Design Methods in Connected Health. These events allowed us to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and spotlight the work of our talented team.

A Creative and Collaborative Spirit

Beyond conferences and publications, we embraced opportunities to foster innovation and reflection. Karin van den Driesche’s Biomimicry for HCI workshops inspired fresh perspectives on design by exploring lessons from nature. Meanwhile, the Krusenberg Writing Retreat gave us a space to focus on research in a peaceful, inspiring environment.

We have also worked with a strategic vision for the group which resulted in HTO’s Long Term Goal:

“To cultivate a supportive and inclusive research environment that prioritizes its members’ well-being and professional development while advancing innovative, interdisciplinary research. Through collaboration, education, and outreach, we aim to generate impactful knowledge that addresses societal challenges and inspires the next generation of scholars and practitioners.”

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re glad to continue building on this momentum, tackling challenges and making meaningful contributions to the world of human-centered technology. More specifically we will organise a seminar series on writing funding applications, and launch a Scientific writing club seminar related to establishing good writings habits and skills. We will also continue with HTO lunches and other social activities.

To everyone who has read, collaborated, or supported us this year—thank you! Let’s keep the conversation going.

✨ Stay connected by following our blog, and let us know your thoughts on the year that was.

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