Deciphering the complex relationships between mankind and technology and exploring how this process can be simplified for the benefit of designers and users, will be the central theme of the 2005 BCS Human-Computer Interaction Conference to be held at Napier University in Edinburgh from 5th- 9th September.
HCI 2005 is the 19th annual conference of the British HCI Group, which has become the premier annual conference on human-computer interaction in Europe. Attracting hundreds of researchers and practitioners from over twenty countries, it's 'Bigger Picture' programme promises a thought-provoking itinerary to whet the appetite of HCI enthusiasts worldwide.
Tom McEwan, HCI Chair, is looking for practitioners and researchers to join the event to explore how they can better design products that enhance the lives of their users. He explains: "HCI 2005 will bring together the main essences of human-computer interaction and allow people to see what is important in areas such as mobile computing, pervasive computing, user experience and the design of interactive systems. By focusing on 'the bigger picture' the conference will provide a rich and varied perspective on the issues affecting people and their interactions with digital technologies."
Provocative and memorable keynotes are promised at HCI 2005, confronting conventional notions of how humans interact with information technology, with contributions from Orange, Oxford Internet Institute, UMIST and Microsoft Research. With tutorials on contemporary subjects such as 'Cognitive factors in design: Basic phenomena in human memory', and 'How to design games to create engaging personas,' HCI 2005 will bring visitors up to date with user-centred design tools and techniques and promises to be an inspirational event.
The conference costs £440 (for registrations before 15 July) with discounts for BCS members and students and includes a conference dinner on Wednesday 7 September and a Ceilidh on 8 September. Accommodation is available nearby through the conference office and the tutorials are available on Monday and Tuesday at £140. A special one-day ticket is available for £125 for the Thursday (Industry Day).
For further information see www.bcs-hci.org.uk. For enquiries about registration or accommodation, please contact Clare Henaghen at Napier University on 0131 4553711 or email hci2005admin@bcs-hci.org.uk.
