UCL Interaction Centre MPhil/PhD

Overview

UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC) is a world-leading centre of excellence for interdisciplinary research on human-computer interaction, studying interactions between people and technology, and using this knowledge to inform design. UCL received the highest percentage (96%) for quality of research in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014). We collaborate with technology users and manufacturers within industry and academia, including hospitals, computer manufacturers and other universities. Facilities include a usability laboratory with eye tracker, a reconfigurable space for larger equipment, and an interaction research laboratory to support research in physical computing and prototyping. Previous students have gone on to work in universities and companies in North America, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.

Recent graduates have either pursued academic careers as researchers and/or lecturers and some additionally work as usability consultants alongside their postdoctoral roles. Some have continued as postdoctoral researchers within the department or other departments in UCL, while others secured research internships abroad (eg, Microsoft Research in California), or other postdoctoral positions in Europe, North and South America, Asia and New Zealand. Some have alternatively continued their careers in industry as research scientists in leading technology companies, such as Google.

The interdisciplinary nature of research in UCLIC means that our research graduates have a broad skill set combining various specialisms, such as psychology, design and/or computer science. They are adaptable and able to work across many fields with people from different professional backgrounds both in academia and industry. Consequently, they are creative, motivated individuals with a keen understanding of the needs of government and commercial organisations as well as having extensive academic knowledge and skills.