Human Computer Interaction Institute (HCII)

The Human-Computer Interaction Institute is a living laboratory where we investigate the relationship between computer technology, human activity and society. Founded in 1993, the HCII is a place where we work to understand and create technology that harmonizes with and improves human capabilities, goals, and social environments through interdisciplinary research and education in design, computer science, and behavioral and social sciences. Though housed in the School of Computer Science, the institute is truly interdisciplinary and includes faculty and students from CMU’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tepper School of Business, College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Institute of Technology and Software Engineering Institute, as well as computer science. We also work closely with colleagues from other universities in Pittsburgh and around the world, and collaborate with researchers in companies that range from local startups to multinational corporations. We offer research and education programs that span a full cycle of knowledge creation. We research how people work, play, and communicate within groups, organizations, and social structures, then we design, create, and evaluate technologies and tools to support human and social activities. Through it all, we remain true to our dedication to collaboration. At the HCII, we don’t just teach, research, and write about HCI, we live it. Whether you’re a student, researcher or corporate partner, we hope you’ll join us as we work every day to improve peoples’ lives. Our Mission To apply rigor and creativity consistently and pervasively To infuse HCI methods appropriately across CMU and beyond To push the boundaries of problems HCI addresses To expand the tools and methods we use to address those problems To deliver artifacts, services, and systems that improve people’s lives To always remember that people are at the heart of our work Facilities The Human-Computer Interaction Institute spans three floors of Carnegie Mellon’s Newell-Simon Hall and two buildings on nearby South Craig Street. In both locations, students and researchers can take advantage of the HCII’s heterogeneous distributed computing environment, experimental computers and systems, wide variety of labs and workspaces, kitchen, and configurable social space. Our main resources are the User Studies Laboratory, Design Facilities: Verge, the DevLab Physical Prototyping Laboratory, the Pittsburgh Science of Learning Center and various faculty labs. Read more HCII Director Jodi Forlizzi Jodi Forlizzi Charles M. Geschke Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Institute