Dr Sonja Pedell

Biography

In 2021 I was promoted to Professor at Swinburne University of Technology. I currently lead the Swinburne Living Lab, the oldest accredited active Australian member in EnoLL, the European Network of Living Labs. The Living Lab has core development capabilities in innovative socio-technical systems and design solutions for “Wellbeing and enjoyment for whole of life,” achieved through co-designing solutions for enriching everyday living of marginalised groups. Those with technical expertise and lived experience together co-design meaningful products, services and experiences in their environments that people readily adopt. I conduct evidence-based research and evaluate the effectiveness of these products, services and experiences which enhance wellbeing.

My research is conducted with many different user groups including older adults, culturally diverse groups, homeless people, people with low income, and people living with chronic illness or dementia. My research expertise includes human-centred design methods, co-design, and scenario-based design, the design of engaging technology, robotics, and the theoretical modelling of motivational goals for design development. My research contributes extensive knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI), design and research methods to the teaching of digital media, experience and communication design. Previously, I completed a Masters of Psychology from Technical University of Berlin (Germany) and was employed as an Interaction Designer, Usability Consultant and Product Manager in industry (Siemens Corporate Technology, Munich and Siemens Audiological Technology, Erlangen, Germany) for several years.

As Director of the Swinburne Living Lab, I work closely with local industry and non-for-profit organisations (i.e., Boroondara Council, City of Casey, Dementia Australia, Access, Health and Community, Uniting Age Well and healthAbility). I collaborate with 8 other Living Labs (4 international). With our industry Lab partners, I connect user networks and community groups to explore ideas, get feedback and evaluate products, technologies, services and space design at large scale. For example, COTA (Council of the Ageing) has 60,000 members in Victoria; Access Health and Community provides services to 350,000 residents in three councils.

Recent projects include 

• New ethnographic and co-creative methods developed with marginalised users;
• Emotion–led technology design;
• Design of innovative assistive technologies to support people living with dementia (with Dementia Australia, 2017-2019);
• Technology-supported group activities including the development of programs for robots, iPads, and Xbox Kinect (with City of Wyndham, Microsoft, Federation Square, City of Boroondara, 2011-2021);
• Well-being app ‘A Better Visit’ co-created with older adults living with advanced dementia distributed via the app store and involving games and music (Dementia Australia, 2016-2018);
• AR app: Home modifications to support fall prevention (2015-2017);
• Audio-based technology for older people affected by age-related blindness (2014);
• Innovative personal alarm development for older people to feel cared about (Smart Services CRC, 2012-2014).