Karen Cochrane

Karen Cochrane

Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, Assistant Professor

Biography

Dr. Karen Cochrane's scholarly pursuits in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) revolve around creating wearable and tangible computing prototypes in mental health and accessibility. These designs serve a dual purpose: firstly, fostering constructive coping strategies for mental health and overall well-being; secondly, crafting assistive technologies for the disabled community. Dr. Cochrane’s interests delve into the nuanced realms of soma design, autoethnography, and design fiction, all geared toward understanding both the needs of academics and underrepresented communities. This understanding of lived experiences enhances the development of robust prototypes and design methods within the HCI field, empowering these communities.

Research

Research Interests

  • Soma Design
  • Wearables
  • Autoethnography
  • Mental Health
  • Assistive Technology

Application Areas

  • Mental Health
  • Wearable Devices
  • Disability

Technology Areas

  • 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing
  • Actuators
  • Sensors

Discipline Areas

  • Computer Science
  • Human Factors