PhD student Nikhita Joshi (MMath ’20) is among the 200 exceptional young researchers invited to the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF), taking place in Heidelberg, Germany, from September 22 to 27, 2024
The HLF gives up-and-coming researchers the chance to connect with recipients of the most prestigious awards in mathematics and computer science, among them the Abel Prize, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)’s Turing Award, ACM’s Prize in Computing, Fields Medal, International Mathematical Union (IMU)’s Abacus Medal and Nevanlinna Prize. This exclusive opportunity is open to computer science and mathematics undergrads and graduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers.
Nikhita was chosen among a pool of 1,100 applicants from across the world, in recognition of her cutting-edge research in human-computer interaction (HCI).
“I’m honoured to have been selected to attend the HLF, and I’m very much looking forward to it.” says Nikhita. “Special thanks to my advisor, Professor Daniel Vogel, for nominating me!”
Nikhita is a creative and innovative researcher. Her work in HCI has transformed several spheres, from the classroom to the workplace.
The forum blends scientific, social and outreach activities to facilitate and engage scientific discussion. Laureates deliver lectures on subjects of their choosing, as well as engage in panel discussions with other invited experts. The forum’s interactive aspects, such as the workshops, master classes and poster sessions, encourage attendees to interact and share ideas. Overall, the HLF aims to promote excellence in mathematics and computer science by nurturing the next generation of researchers.
“Nikhita is exactly the kind of smart, confident, and savvy graduate student who exemplifies qualities associated with the Heidelberg Laureate Forum,” says her supervisor Professor Daniel Vogel, who has collaborated with Nikhita on various projects. “Over the years, she has gained a wealth of research experience, especially in designing novel devices and exploring ways to enhance human-technology interactions.”
Nikhita’s research focuses on using constraints to influence positive user outcomes, particularly in reading or writing. Coining this as “bounded interactions,” her research has led to several innovative technologies and discoveries. For example, she found that technology that restricts text highlighting can boost a user’s reading comprehension. This discovery was reported by multiple news sources, including Phys.org, and MSN News. It also earned her a Best Paper Award at the 2024 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI)— the premier international HCI conference. She also earned an honourable mention at CHI 2024, for her research on whether synchronized writing tools that reveal changes based on time and content could increase a user’s comfort.
Her research also tackles augmented reality, gestural input, and software learning. In 2022, she co-developed a smart desk chair that uses sensors, servos, computers and a small projector. This innovative chair could revolutionize the workspace: it can encourage breaks and support work-related tasks by intuitively responding to the user’s movements. For example, if the chair detects that the user is in a meeting, it can project meeting notes, agendas, or diagrams on a nearby wall. If the user leans back, the chair can display deep breathing exercises on the ceiling. This innovative work earned the team the Best Paper Award at the 2022 ACM Spatial User Interaction (SUI) Symposium.
She also co-developed PocketView, an innovative wearable technology. It can be difficult or tedious to retrieve a smart device from your pocket or bag, especially with full hands. Yet, we use these devices for everyday activities like navigation or communication. Instead, PocketView uses LEDs that shine through fabric to display notifications for email, messages, time, weather or other basic information. PocketView can display map-related symbols like arrows to direct someone, and people can use it as a stand-alone technology or sync it with their current devices.
Nikhita and her collaborators presented their work at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST '21). PocketView also garnered significant media coverage by major technology hubs including TechBriefs, The Engineer UK, and Hackster.
As a creative and innovative researcher, Nikhita’s research has transformed several spheres, from the classroom to the workplace. By attending the HLF, she can explore her ideas and inventions with the world’s leading mathematicians and computer scientists.