People

Leadership

Dr. Jacek Gwizdka
Lab Director

Dr. Jacek Gwizdka conducts research in human-computer interaction with interests in information search processes and search interfaces, in application of cognitive psychology to interactive information retrieval, and in implicit assessment of cognitive load using psycho-physiological methods. His recent projects include application of cognitive neuroscience tools to the study of cognitive function engaged in human-information interaction as well as examination of effects of search results presentation and cognitive abilities on information search task performance. He serves in various roles at international conference and workshop organization committees (for example, IIiX, ASIS&T, ACM SIGCHI and SIGIR). He serves on editorial board of Interacting with Computers.

Dr. Randolph Bias
Lab Founder

After receiving his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from UT-Austin, Randolph worked in industry for over 20 years as a UX professional/manager, helping software developers make human-computer interfaces user-centered. After stints with Bell Labs, IBM, and BMC Software (where he created and managed the Usability Department), Randolph co-founded an independent usability lab and consultancy. In 2003 he came to the School of Information to research human information processing and human-computer interaction and to help train the next generation of UX professionals. Randolph has published over 80 technical articles and co-edited two editions of Cost-Justifying Usability (R. G. Bias and D. J. Mayhew, Eds., 1994, 2005, Morgan Kaufmann). He is a Certified Human Factors Practitioner, and is active in professional societies such as the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the User eXperience Professionals’ Association (UXPA). Randolph has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, information studies, and statistics at The University of Texas at Austin, Rutgers University, Huston-Tillotson University, Texas State University, and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, plus has taught many short courses for industry. In 2017 he was awarded the UXPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Randolph is a vigorous advocate for designing technology to fit the user. In his retirement he has launched a UX consulting effort, UXonSpec, with a creative twist: www.uxonspec.com.