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Professor Vanja Garaj
Professor of Design

Research area(s)

Design research | Human-computer interaction

User-centred research aimed at design, development and evaluation of innovative systems, products and services—with the focus on digital and digital⇄physical domains and the application of the latest technology. Experience in using different user requirements capture and analysis, design and user testing and evaluation methods within the methodological frameworks of user experience (UX) design, user interface (UI) design, human-computer interaction, human-centred design, inclusive design and co-design—in the areas including digital health, assistive technology, m-learning, e-government, social networking and the IoT, brand engagement, digital arts and immersive technologies (XR). Research has also been conducted in the contexts of physical-only product design and environmental design.

Photo-ethnography

The photo-ethnographic work carried out over the years has resulted in several photo exhibitions and photo publications in the UK and overseas.

Branding

Research and design practice interests in the fields of digital brand experience design and brand identity design stem from the past work in design and branding/advertising industry and from the involvement in directing the MSc Digital Design and Branding programme at Brunel.

For further details on research, please visit Brunel Digital Design Lab.

Research grants and projects

Research Projects

Grants

Towards an Equitable Social VR
Funder: Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Duration: January 2023 - December 2025
Designing the Future of UK-China RD&I Collaboration in the Museums and Galleries Sector
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Duration: February 2022 - February 2023
StoryFutures China+: Experiencing Museums and Galleries from Home
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Duration: December 2020 - May 2022
Co-Innovate: Brunel Co-Innovate Journeys, Round 02
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) / Greater London Authority (GLA)
Duration: October 2019 - June 2023
Co-Innovate: Bridging the Gap, Round 02
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) / Greater London Authority (GLA)
Duration: October 2019 - March 2023
Inclusive Immersion
Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Duration: July 2019 - June 2022
Immersive Broadcast Content Experience for Inclusive Audiences
Funder: Innovate UK
Duration: October 2018 - March 2019
StoryFutures: Gateway Cluster Partnership for Audiovisual Digital Creativity
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Duration: October 2018 - March 2023
StoryFutures Academy: Industry Centre of Excellence in Immersive Narrative
Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Duration: September 2018 - August 2021
Impacting Business by Design
Funder: Research England
Duration: April 2018 - March 2021
The Stories of CERN: A Photo-ethnographic Study
Funder: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Duration: November 2017 - May 2019
Co-Innovate: Bridging the Gap, Round 01
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) / Greater London Authority (GLA)
Duration: January 2017 - September 2019
Co-Innovate: Brunel Co-Innovate Journeys, Round 01
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) / Greater London Authority (GLA)
Duration: October 2016 - September 2019
Kafka’s Wound: A Digital Literary Essay
Funder: Arts Council England
Duration: March 2012 - July 2012
Age OK: Market Segmentation and Inclusive Design Interventions for the Silver Market
Funder: Technology Strategy Board (TSB)
Duration: May 2010 - April 2014
MINA: Migration, Nutrition and Ageing across the Lifecourse in Bangladeshi Families: A Transnational Perspective
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Duration: December 2008 - November 2011
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