Technology for Nature Engagement
We are investigating the different ways that people experience nature with technology, and the effects on attitudes to wildlife and the environment. This will help us design future technologies to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy the natural world.
Projects
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ParkPal: A voice-based nature guide
This project reports the design and Wizard of Oz evaluation of a chatbot to simulate exploration of nature with an expert guide.
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Engaging with nature through technology
We reviewed HCI literature to understand how the field has considered digital technology for engaging with nature. We identify six roles proposed for technology in nature engagement, encompassing varied forms of direct and indirect experiences of nature.
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Digital Technologies for Urban Nature Sites
This PhD project is investigating the design and use of digital technologies for urban nature experiences, at sites such as parks, community gardens, environmental education centres, and botanical gardens.
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Kinecting with orang-utans
In collaboration with Zoos Victoria, this project designed and studied an interactive digital system to enrich and empower the lives of orang-utans at Melbourne Zoo.
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Virtual Reality and climate change communication
Using a purpose-built VR app which places the user in a dystopian future where rising sea-levels are impacting familiar urban scenes in Melbourne we investigate how immersive VR experiences can provoke discussion and engagement around climate change in the public domain.
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Virtual reality for nature-based mindfulness
This study aimed to explore how VR can support mindfulness practice and to understand user experience issues that may affect the acceptability and efficacy of VR mindfulness for users in the general population.