Wellesley College Opens a New Human Computer Interaction Laboratory

Wellesley College, the highly ranked liberal arts institution for women in suburban Boston, recently opened its new Human Computer Interaction Laboratory. The new lab was financed by a donation from Wellesley trustee Amy Batchelor and her husband.

Orit Shaer, the director of the new lab and the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the college, stated, “Our research agenda focuses on inventing and understanding next-generation human-computer interaction techniques. Currently we are exploring how advanced user interfaces can benefit and enhance collaborative learning and discovery, especially in areas where vast amounts of abstract information must be accessed and manipulated.”

The new laboratory includes the capability for three-dimensional holographic displays and gesture-based user interfaces.

“The goal of the newly renovated Human-Computer Interaction Lab is to be a place where science, technology, and art come together in creative new ways,” said Dr. Shaer. “With this goal in mind we designed this space to integrate teaching and research while fostering collaboration, innovation, and hands-on learning. We want it to be a space where cross-disciplinary teams of students work together to solve big problems.”

Dr. Shaer holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in computer science from Tufts University.