Meet the authors
Brygg Ullmer
Brygg Ullmer is a Professor and Chair of the Human-Centered Computing (HCC) Division within the School of Computing at Clemson University, where he also leads the Tangible Visualization group. His research interests include tangible interfaces, computational genomics (and more broadly, interactive computational STEAM), visualization, and rapid physical and electronic prototyping. He also has a strong interest in computationally-mediated art, craft, and design, rooted in the traditions and material expressions of specific regions and cultures. Ullmer hosted and co-chaired the inaugural ACM TEI 2007 conference; conference co-chair of TEI 2016; and is a steering committee member. Ullmer received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the MIT Media Laboratory, and a B.S. in computer engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Orit Shaer
Orit Shaer is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Wellesley College. She directs the Wellesley College Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab. Her research focuses on novel human-computer interaction for the future of work and learning. Dr Shaer is a Senior Member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), and a recipient of several NSF and industry awards including the prestigious NSF CAREER Award, Agilent Technologies Research Award, and Google App Engine Education Award. At Wellesley she was awarded the Pinanski Prize for Excellent Teaching. Dr Shaer is a steering committee member of the ACM conference on Tangible Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI) and served as a Program Chair in 2010, 2017, and most recently in 2020. Dr Shaer received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Tufts University in Computer Science.
Ali Mazalek
Ali Mazalek is a Canada Research Chair in Digital Media and Innovation and an Associate Professor in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, where she directs the Synaesthetic Media Lab. Her research investigates how tangible and embodied media can support and enhance creative practices and processes, supporting new forms of expression and new ways of thinking and learning. She holds a cross-appointment at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is an Affiliate Scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, and is a member of the Ryerson Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST). She is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Mazalek is a steering committee member of the ACM conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction (TEI), and served as a Chair from 2013-2016. She was a Program Chair for the TEI conference in 2008 and 2015. Mazalek received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the MIT Media Lab and a Hon.B.Sc. in computer science and mathematics from the University of Toronto.
Caroline Hummels
Caroline Hummels is professor Design and Theory for Transformative Qualities at the department of Industrial Design at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Her activities concentrate on designing and researching transforming practices with a focus on being-in-the-world theories, embodied interactions, technology-in-becoming, participatory sensemaking, aesthetics, and social resilience. Her recent quest aims at developing with her team a design-philosophy correspondence, in which philosophy informs design practice and design practice is used to philosophise, in order to tackle societal challenge through transformative practices. Caroline is founder and member of the steering committee of the Tangible Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI) Conference, editorial board member of the International Journal of Design, and member of the Dutch Design Week sounding board. Moreover, she has given a large number of keynote speeches, invited lectures and workshops at conferences, international universities and for industry and governmental institutes worldwide.