Professor Sonja Pedell is Director of Swinburne’s Future Self and Design Living Lab, where her research contributes extensive knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) and research methods to the teaching of communication design. Alongside this role, Dr Pedell is also Stream Leader "Assistive Robots for Healthcare" in Manufacturing Futures Institute and Theme Leader "Designing with Users" in Smart Cities Research Institute.
Dr Pedell’s research interests include co-design, user-centred design methods, scenario-based and mobile design, and the design of engaging novel technologies for increasing the wellbeing of various user groups, in particular for the ageing population and people living with dementia .
Prior to taking up these roles at Swinburne, Dr Pedell completed a Masters of Psychology from the Technical University of Berlin and was employed as an Interaction Designer, Usability Consultant and Product Manager in industry for several years.