John Alexander Waterworth
Professor Emeritus, Consultant, and Writer in Human-Computer Interaction and Digital Well-being
Umeå, SE.About
Professor John Waterworth is a distinguished academic and consultant with a PhD in Experimental Psychology and over 30 years of expertise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), ICT application design, and digital well-being. As a Chartered Psychologist and Professor Emeritus, he has authored 8 books and over 200 publications, pioneering research on the psychosocial impact of technology on quality of life, virtual reality, and interactive systems. He excels in leading research groups, securing significant funding, and mentoring PhD candidates, translating complex psychological insights into practical design solutions for diverse applications.
Work
Self-Employed
|Independent Research Consultant, Reviewer, and Writer
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Provided expert consultancy and critical analysis on psychological and experiential aspects of ICT, leveraging an extensive academic and research background.
Highlights
Engaged as a consultant, writer, and reviewer specializing in the psychological and experiential dimensions of ICT application design and use.
Focused on assessing the actual and potential impact of information technology on quality of life across diverse applications and settings.
Contributed to the academic discourse through critical reviews and independent research initiatives, maintaining a high level of scholarly output.
Umeå University
|Professor Emeritus, Consultant
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
As Professor Emeritus and Consultant, he continued to contribute strategic insights and academic guidance to the Department of Informatics, leveraging extensive expertise in human-computer interaction and digital well-being.
Highlights
Provided strategic consultation to the Department of Informatics, drawing on decades of experience in human-computer interaction and digital well-being.
Mentored faculty and students, contributing to research direction and academic development within the university.
Maintained an active role in the academic community through ongoing scholarly engagement and advisory functions.
Umeå University
|Senior Professor of Informatics
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Led advanced research and teaching initiatives in Informatics, driving academic excellence and innovation within the department.
Highlights
Spearheaded cutting-edge research in human-computer interaction and the psychosocial impact of digital technologies.
Mentored and supervised academic staff and students, fostering a vibrant research environment and contributing to skill development.
Contributed to curriculum development and taught master's level courses on advanced design studio and user experience.
Umeå University
|Full Professor of Informatics
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Directed postgraduate studies, led a prominent research group, and secured significant EU funding for interdisciplinary projects in informatics.
Highlights
Directed postgraduate studies for 17 years, successfully supervising 9 PhD candidates to completion and fostering academic talent.
Led the Q-Life Research Group, advancing research into the impact of information technology on quality of life.
Secured EU funding as an expert for Umeå University from 2008-2010, enhancing institutional research capacity and international collaborations.
Developed and delivered Master's level courses and popular industry programs on Human-Computer Interaction, impacting hundreds of students and professionals.
Interactive Institute
|Research Manager, Tools for Creativity Studio
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Led a research studio focused on developing innovative tools to enhance creativity through interactive technology and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Highlights
Managed research projects aimed at creating interactive tools for creativity, contributing to applied innovation and practical solutions.
Fostered interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and industry partners, bridging academic and commercial objectives.
Presented research findings at international conferences and workshops, disseminating studio innovations to a global audience.
Umeå University
|Docent (Associate Professor) in Informatics
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Conducted advanced research and teaching, establishing a strong academic foundation in informatics through extensive publications and international collaborations.
Highlights
Published extensively in leading academic journals and contributed to multiple books, demonstrating thought leadership in informatics.
Engaged in teaching and curriculum development for university courses, particularly at the Master's level, enhancing student learning.
Collaborated on international research projects, expanding the department's global academic footprint and research network.
Umeå University
|Senior Researcher in Informatics
Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
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Summary
Initiated and conducted key research projects in human-computer interaction and related fields, significantly contributing to the university's research output.
Highlights
Conducted pioneering research in areas such as speech-based interaction, hypermedia, and computer-mediated environments.
Authored numerous publications, laying the groundwork for future academic advancements in informatics.
Contributed to the establishment of the Department of Informatics' research agenda and capabilities, fostering early growth.
Institute of Systems Science
|HCI Research Group Founder and Leader
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Summary
Established and led a foundational Human-Computer Interaction research group, pioneering studies in interactive systems and user experience.
Highlights
Founded and directed the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research Group, setting its strategic research agenda and achieving significant early results.
Led projects on speech-based interaction, information exploration, and interactive tools for learning, advancing the field's understanding.
Published significant research, establishing the group as a key player in the nascent field of HCI in Singapore.
British Telecom Research Labs
|Researcher and Research Group Leader
London, England, UK
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Summary
Conducted pioneering research in human-computer interaction and telecommunications, leading a research group to develop innovative solutions.
Highlights
Led a research group focused on advancing human-computer interaction within telecommunications, driving key innovations.
Contributed to the design and evaluation of speech-based interaction systems and voice messaging systems, improving user interfaces.
Awarded the prestigious BT Gordon Radley Fund Christopher Columbus prize in 1984 for significant contributions to man-machine speech dialogue acts.
Imperial College London
|Post-doc Researcher, Logic Programming Group
London, England, UK
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Summary
Conducted specialized post-doctoral research within the Logic Programming Group, contributing to advanced computational logic.
Highlights
Engaged in specialized post-doctoral research, deepening expertise in logic programming and its applications.
Collaborated with leading researchers on complex computational problems, contributing to theoretical advancements.
Published research findings in relevant academic forums, disseminating new knowledge in the field.
Education
University of Hertfordshire
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PhD
Experimental Psychology
Courses
Postgraduate Research in Experimental Psychology
Manchester Metropolitan University
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BA (Honours)
Psychology
Courses
Psychology (Honours)
Awards
BT Gordon Radley Fund Christopher Columbus Prize
Awarded By
British Telecom
Awarded for significant contributions to man-machine speech dialogue acts and telecommunications research, recognizing innovative work in human-computer interaction.
Publications
Multimedia Interaction: Human Factors Aspects
Published by
Ellis Horwood (Simon and Schuster International)
Summary
Authored a seminal book detailing the human factors aspects of multimedia interaction, influencing early HCI design principles.
Multimedia: Technology and Applications
Published by
Ellis Horwood (Simon and Schuster International)
Summary
Edited a comprehensive book on multimedia technology and its applications, providing a foundational text for the field.
Speech and Language-Based Interaction with Machines
Published by
Ellis Horwood
Summary
Co-authored a pioneering book on speech and language-based interaction with machines, a key text in early voice interface development.
Languages
English
Swedish
Skills
Research & Analysis
Experimental Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), ICT Application Design, User Experience (UX) Research, Digital Well-being, Quality of Life Impact Assessment, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Data Analysis, Systematic Review, Literature Review, Cognitive Psychology.
Technical & Systems
Speech-based Interaction, Information Exploration, Hypermedia Systems, Interactive Tools Development, Computer-Mediated Environments, Virtual Reality (VR), Logic Programming, Ambient Technologies, Bioinformatics Tools, Pervasive Technologies, System Design.
Teaching & Mentorship
Postgraduate Supervision (9 PhD candidates), Curriculum Development, Master's Level Teaching, Industry Course Development, Academic Mentorship, Pedagogy, Adult Education.
Leadership & Management
Research Group Leadership (Founder & Leader), Project Management, EU Funding Acquisition, Strategic Planning, Cross-functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, Consultancy Services, Academic Administration.
Communication & Publishing
Academic Writing, Book Authorship (8 books), Journal Publication (200+ articles), Conference Presentations, Keynote Speaking, Public Speaking, Academic Editing, Peer Review.
Design & Innovation
Advanced Design Studio, User-Centered Design, Creative Problem-Solving, Interactive Technology Design, Experiential Design, Design for User Experience, Human-Computer Confluence.