Faculty and research scientists in the department of Human Centered Design & Engineering run directed research groups, which offer students a wide range of opportunities to do hands-on work, from conducting usability tests for local companies all the way to collecting data on communication issues internationally.

Students interested in participating in directed research must get permission directly from the faculty member leading the group. Undergraduate students enroll in HCDE 496, while graduate students register for HCDE 596. HCDE MS students are required to register for the PCE section of HCDE 596. For details on how to register, please visit the Variable Credit Registration Policy.

Students are encouraged to check this list frequently as Directed Research Groups are added leading up to the beginning of the quarter.

Winter 2025

• Theory That Counts: A Reading Group on Measurement and Data (Arnett, Zavary, Dasgupta)
• Tech Policy Wonk: What is Research Security? (Arnett, Ribes, Soo)
• Evaluating Live Streams (Mallari, Zachry)
• Co-speculating Care-ful Data Infrastructures with Home Child Care Workers (Tan, Munson, Desjardins (on leave))
• Usability Study of Google Classroom in Wapato High School (Flores, Turns)
• Temporality in Crisis Communication on TikTok (Vera, McDonald, Zachry)
• “Called It”: Prediction and Sensemaking in the 2024 Election (Lutz, Starbird)
• Leveraging role-playing games to support mental health (Munson, Kenderova, Devasia)
• AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) Comparative Usability Study Data Analysis (Zhong, Hsieh, Kolko)
• Designing for Healthcare Equity: Community-Led Research for UW Medicine (Hsieh, Ho, Houston, Shang)
• Rebuilding the Nation’s Drinking Water Infrastructure - Where are the Lead Pipes and What Comes Next? (Cherukumilli, Hung)
• Exploring Photography and Social Media Guidelines in Childcare Institutions (Gupta, Kientz)
• Designing a Desktop App for Storing Virtual Memories (Devasia, Kientz)
• STEM Outreach: Alternative Spring Break (Arpita)
• Afrofuturist Feminism: Using practices of Afrofuturism and Black feminism to develop new technological approaches (Bosley, Rosner)

FULL FOR WINTER; NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

• Design Principles for AI Companions (Cho, Zachry)
• Experimenting with using Generative AI to Reflect (Turns, Flores)
• Testing driving the book “How to Write a Journal Article in 12 Weeks" (Turns)
• Design Competencies DRG (Capella, Fox)

Registration Process

To register for a variable credit course, students should first consult a faculty member or advisor to obtain an instructor code. HCDE MS students are required to register for the PCE sections of HCDE 596 and HCDE 599. 

To register for a variable credit course, students must collect the following information:

• Course SLN (from MyPlan or the Time Schedule)
• Faculty code (from the instructor)
• Number of Credits* (from the instructor)

*One credit equates to three hours of work each week. Students should discuss the number of credits with the supervising instructor.