Research Statement

Rather than bend disabled bodies and minds to meet the clock, crip time bends the clock to meet disabled bodies and minds.
— Allison Kafer

My research lies at the intersection of empirical software engineering, human-computer interaction (HCI), and inclusive design, with a focus on creating digital technologies that promote equity, access, and social participation — especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.

From the start of my academic journey, I have been motivated by the question:
How can we design software that responds to human needs in socially complex, ethically sensitive, and accessibility-critical environments?

During my PhD, I explored this question through the lens of health technology, designing adaptive mobile user interfaces to support individuals with chronic diseases. My work employed user-centred design, qualitative interviews, and empirical usability evaluations — contributing practical strategies for tailoring digital health experiences to user needs and capacities. The goal: improve long-term engagement and self-management outcomes.

Since joining the Opportunity Technology Lab (OTL) at Monash University, my research has broadened into new domains — including accessible communication tools, digital inclusion, and AI-assisted systems for people with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. These projects share a unifying goal: to design technologies that reflect the lived realities of people often left out of digital innovation. My approach combines participatory design, mixed-methods research, and interdisciplinary collaboration with social scientists, disability researchers, and public policy experts.

My work is fundamentally problem-driven and people-centred. I believe that solving challenges like digital marginalisation, emotional exclusion, and systemic bias requires both rigorous empirical methods and close engagement with affected communities. My aim is to produce research that not only advances academic knowledge but also delivers real-world impact — improving how we build, evaluate, and deploy inclusive digital technologies in domains such as healthcare, employment, and public services.