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A retrospective look at Human Computer Interaction - free public lecture by Professor Manolya Kavakli

29/05/2024 - 29/05/2024 Aston University

Professor Manolya Kavakli is an expert in gamification
Her talk will examine the complex relationship between humans, computers and tech
She will examine how digital developments have the potential to improve lives and modernise industry.

The latest inaugural lecture at Aston University will look at the complex relationship between humans, computers and technology.

Professor Manolya Kavakli will discuss progress so far and offer insights into how to ease into digital transformation for the challenges that lie ahead.

The professor is an expert in gamification, the process of using elements of gaming in non-gaming situations such as learning and training.

She joined the University’s multi-disciplinary Aston Digital Futures Institute in mid-September 2023. Her lecture will help the research centre achieve one of its six aims - to shape and lead the public debate around what society’s digital future might look like and influence socially responsible transformations and sustainable growth.

In her talk she will explore the recent digital transformations society has undergone and how they have the unrivalled potential to improve lives and modernise industry, government and public services. She will also discuss the significance of human information processing in the development of AI applications.

Professor Kavakli said: “Over the past decades, we have seen rapid technological advances in artificial intelligence and mixed reality which has gained pace most notably after the introduction of generative AI.

“Social media websites use machine learning algorithms to produce content specifically tailored for users; businesses utilise gamification and data analytics to sell products to their customers; doctors incorporate AI to examine medical images in search of cancer; robotic arms and legs support amputees; and brain computer interfaces combine man and machine systems to support human activities.

“Analysing human motions and information processing, we can evaluate the ways to improve the joint performance of man and machine systems. My lecture will provide a review of developments as well as our digital past for establishing digital futures by giving examples of pioneering interfaces we have developed.”

The professor originally started her career in architecture and until 1999 she was an associate professor at the faculty of architecture at Istanbul Technical University, developing AI applications in design.

In 2000 she moved fully into IT and became the acting course coordinator of the Bachelor of Computer Science (games technology) degree at Charles Sturt University, which was the first of its kind in Australia.

Later she moved to Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia where she served as the founding director of the pioneering research facilities, the virtual reality lab and the simulation hub between 2003 and 2020, and the director of postgraduate programmes, department of computing, between 2014 and 2018.

She received three Research Professorships in France from ENSAM (2013 to 2014) and AIX Marseille (2018) to work on Virtual and Augmented reality applications.

She was the founding academic director of Australia’s AIE Institute between 2019 and 2023 and designed a bachelor of game development degree with three majors: game art, game design and game programming. She is also the founding member of VISOR (Virtual and Interactive Simulations of Reality Research Group), and CEPET (Research Centre for Elite Performance, Expertise and Training).

The free event will take place on the University campus at the Susan Cadbury Lecture Theatre, B4 7ET on Wednesday 29 May from 6pm to 7.30pm and will be followed by a drinks reception. The event can also be viewed online.

To sign up for a place in person visit:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-inaugural-lecture-professor-manolya-kavakli-tickets-764392166547?aff=oddtdtcreator